Brazilian football star helps local players score scholarships

(CIFA): The Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) is joining forces with Renata Lobo, former Brazilian national football player, and Lenilson Albuquerque, the president of the Brazilian national football league known as Liga Nacional de Futebol 7 Society, to increase opportunities for Cayman’s national players to receive scholarships with American colleges and schools, as well as professional clubs in Brazil and Europe. Renata Lobo played for Brazil’s national women’s team and Tampa University for four years, and counts being South American Champion for the Brazil national team among her many achievements. She said, "I am very glad and excited to have the opportunity to help the young players in Cayman follow their dreams and reach high accomplishments.”

She continued, “I've just started to build a solid network with American Universities and women's football clubs in Brazil, so our young players will have greater opportunities in the future.”

Renata Lobo played for Brazil’s national women’s team and Tampa University for four years, and counts being South American Champion for the Brazil national team among her many achievements. She said, "I am very glad and excited to have the opportunity to help the young players in Cayman follow their dreams and reach high accomplishments.” She continued, “I've just started to build a solid network with American Universities and women's football clubs in Brazil, so our young players will have greater opportunities in the future.”

Lenilson Albuquerque, said, " I believe that if we put all our ideas together we will achieve many good things for Cayman.”

Cayman’s women’s football program reached the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) qualifying final stage two years ago and the CFU (Caribbean Football Union) finals last year.

CIFA aims to expand Football 7 in the Caribbean and Europe given its popularity among boys and girls in Brazil.

Martha Godet, Cayman Islands Women National Program’s Director, said, “The entire Cayman women’s football team is very happy for the opportunity to meet amazing personalities like Lenilson Albuquerque and Renata Lobo.” She continued, “20 players are already away at colleges, universities and football clubs and some just came back after concluding their studies. Another five players are leaving in July to join overseas' schools.

Thiago Cunha, Technical Director of Cayman’s national women’s team, said, “We are looking forward to making this program bigger and having more athletes involved as we are organizing competitions for seniors and youth levels as well as playing international matches."