Refugee Athletes Empower Baseball and Softball in Brazil Through Strategic Partnership

Date: [28/05/2025]

The Refugee Sports Federation of Brazil is proud to announce the outcomes of a highly productive meeting held with the Brazilian Baseball and Softball Confederation. The meeting brought together Mr. Thiago Caldeira, President of the Confederation, and Mr. Marcos Guimarães, representative of the Piratas de Pirbu organization, in a joint effort to advance the inclusion of migrant and refugee athletes in Brazil’s growing baseball and softball landscape.This collaboration strengthens ongoing support for Venezuelan and other migrant athletes residing in Brazil—athletes who are actively contributing to the development and visibility of these sports across the country.As a result of this alliance, new doors of opportunity have opened. Several refugee athletes will now gain access to the High-Performance Training Center. Currently, seven refugee athletes have been officially integrated into this training and development process, with further expansion on the horizon.Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games—where both baseball and softball are expected to have a strong presence—this initiative sets the foundation for new success stories emerging from refugee and migrant communities.

Recognition and Appreciation

At the close of the meeting, in recognition of their valuable contributions and dedication to inclusive sports development, Mr. Thiago Caldeira and Mr. Marcos Guimarães were awarded Certificates of Appreciation by Mr. Rômulo Ernesto, President of the Refugee Sports Federation for South America and Brazil. These certificates reflect the Federation’s deep gratitude for their ongoing commitment to building inclusive athletic pathways for displaced populations.The Refugee Sports Federation of Brazil remains fully committed to promoting opportunity, integration, and athletic excellence. In alignment with the International Refugee Sports Federation (IRSF) for South America, we will continue to work within the legal and ethical framework to support marginalized communities through sport.We thank all our partners for their trust, collaboration, and shared vision of a more inclusive future in Brazilian sports.