Anildo Andrade, President of No Pintcha, in an interview with the Desporto Brava podcast gave an x-ray of the problems of football on Brava Island

Andrade began by highlighting the lack of interest and support from the people of Brava, stating that although many demand the development of the sport, few are willing to contribute to this cause. According to him, there is a disconnect between the criticisms made about the lack of progress in football and the absence of concrete actions to improve the situation.

“It’s sad to see how, in the past, we had great players, great managers and great fans who were passionate about their clubs, but today that passion seems to have disappeared. There’s no longer the same interest. People don’t get involved in the sport like they used to, and that’s something that’s directly affecting the evolution of football in Brava,” lamented Andrade.

Another crucial point raised by the president of No Pintcha was the lack of motivation that prevails among the island’s young players. For Andrade, the lack of resources is one of the main reasons why football is not progressing as it should. “We have few financial and material resources, and this affects the quality of football. But what worries me most is the lack of interest among the young people themselves. There is no longer the passion for football that there used to be,” he stated.

In addition to the lack of resources and lack of motivation, Andrade also mentioned a significant change in the way young people approach football. According to him, many of the new talents emerging on the island already start their careers with a demand to pay to play, something he sees as a reflection of a transformation in the very concept of sport in the community.

“Nowadays, any young person who starts their football career wants money to play. This is something new and has changed the dynamics of the sport a lot. Before, young people played for the love of the club, the shirt, but now the focus is on financial aspects. This affects the motivation and commitment of athletes,” he explained.

Furthermore, the president of No Pintcha stressed the importance of a change in mentality, both among individuals and among local authorities and institutions. For Andrade, football in Brava will not evolve without the mobilization of the community. “Supporting the training of players, creating conditions for the practice of sports and involving the population are fundamental. We cannot continue to expect development to happen without collective effort,” he stressed.

Despite the bleak scenario he described, Andrade was not entirely pessimistic. He believes that, with more unity and commitment from everyone involved, football in Brava can once again have the prominence it deserves. However, he stressed that this process requires a transformation in the way the community views the sport and engages with it.

Finally, Anildo Andrade's interview with the Desporto Brava Podcast served as a warning of the need for an urgent change in the approach to football on the island of Brava. The lack of support, lack of motivation and the change in the behavior of young players are problems that need to be addressed with concrete actions so that federated football on Brava can once again flourish and achieve the success it once had.