Cape Verde’s Prime Minister Dr Ulisses Correira e Silva has announced that the country’s national stadium in Praia will be named after world football icon Pele.
The 15,000-seater “Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde”, erected in 2010 and opened in 2014 has been the home base of the “Blue Sharks” as Cape Verde’s national team is referred to.
In a statement published on social media Facebook, Cape Verde’s premier stressed that the decision is a spinoff of the historical ties that his country shares with Brazil.
“Cape Verde and Brazil have a history and culture that go hand in hand, considering they are two sister countries, linked by language and very similar identities.” the statement read.
“And with the physical disappearance of Edson Arantes de Nascimento, King Pelé, born a Brazilian citizen, who soon became a planetary figure, an icon of the masses showing that sport has the power to unite the world, it is now our wish to pay tribute to him.”
“Pelé was and always will be a reference in Brazil, in our Portuguese-speaking countries and in the rest of the world, being an idol that links several generations.”
Pelé was and always will be a reference in Brazil, in our Portuguese-speaking countries and in the rest of the world, being an idol that links several generations
“As a tribute and recognition to this figure that makes us all great, I manifest the intention of naming our national stadium as “Pelé Stadium”, in an initiative that, I believe, will be followed by several countries around the world.”
FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino on Monday urged member associations to rename a football facility in their respective countries after Pele who to date is the only player to have won three world cups.
The world’s football governing body has also renamed the football pitch in its headquarters “Estadio Pele- FIFA Zurich”.
Cape Verde’s prime minister is hopeful that several other countries will emulate their action.
“We have already communicated our intention to FIFA because it was that institution that launched the challenge and we hope to be able to perform this symbolic act soon.”
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The Guinean Government decided to change the name of the Bafatá field, the second capital of the country, to Estádio Pelé, in response to the appeal of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who asked for a worldwide tribute to the former Brazilian footballer.
The decision was taken at the Council of Ministers, meeting in Bissau, under the chairmanship of the Guinean head of state, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, says a government statement to which Lusa had access.
“As a result and as an expression of public recognition of the status of King of World Football that is granted to him, the Council of Ministers decided to name the Regional State of Bafatá ‘Pele Stadium’ in response to the appeal of the president of FIFA”, he points out. the Government statement.
The Council of Ministers decided to name the Regional State of Bafatá ‘Pele Stadium’ in response to the appeal of the president of FIFA
Until now, Bafatá’s playing field was called Estádio da Rocha and was used by Sporting Clube de Bafatá, a club founded in 1937 that regularly competes in the Guinean first division football championship.
On the day Pelé’s death was announced, last December 29, the president of the Guinea-Bissau Football Federation, Carlos Teixeira, addressed wishes of condolence to the people and to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
“Pelé is today a unique figure in the world. Everyone knows in this world who Pelé is, he was a planetary figure”, observed the leader of the Guinea-Bissau Football Federation.
Pelé died on Thursday, aged 82, at the Albert Einstein Israeli hospital, in São Paulo, following the failure of multiple organs as a result of the progression of colon cancer.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIFA.
