Course completion: Capoeira athletes return from Brazil

The Embassy of Brazil held a ceremony to welcome Pakistani capoeira athletes Shayan Ali and Mirwais, who have recently returned from Brazil.

The athletes were sent to the Latin American country by the Brazilian Embassy for an advanced three-week long training course in capoeira at “Abada Capoeira” training centre in Rio de Janeiro.

In his opening remarks, Brazilian Ambassador Alfredo Leoni spoke about the embassy`s efforts to promote capoeira in Pakistan.

The ambassador expressed his gratitude to Master Canguru, head of “ABADA Capoeira” training center in Rio, and to Lara Lee, founder of “Cultures of Resistance Network” who sponsored Ali and Mirwais.

Ali said, “Pakistan is now affiliated with Abada Capoeira in Brazil and for the first time capoeira is officially going to start in Pakistan.” I feel honoured to be a part of it,” he said. Capoeira is Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music. Originally from Africa, capoeira was brought to Brazil by African slaves in the 17th to 19th centuries.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2015.