About World’s Cup

Some people are asking my opinion about the World’s Cup in Brazil, so I want to show some data and try to explain my humble viewpoint.

To host an event of this size, it is estimated that Brazil will invest about U.S. $ 36.4 billion, with U.S. $ 12.7 billion in transport and mobility, R $ 7.2 billion in renovations and construction of new stadiums and R $ 5.3 billion in modernization of airports. Similarly, it is believed that the World Cup 2014 will bring into the country a profit of R $ 183 billion to the economy between 2010 and 2019. Besides these numbers, is expected to generate 700,000 jobs, permanent and temporary, for different sectors – construction, tourism, hospitality and commerce.

Considering only the values of investment and return, the realization of an event like this only benefits us. But the fact is that there are, in Brazil, many problems of development in infrastructure, education, culture, health, environment, among others, that exceed the vision of economic benefits and should be evaluated. Receive a World Cup or the Olympics, is putting the spotlight on the planet toward us, showing our culture and our development, but also becoming vulnerable the views of our problems, such as lack of public safety.

A part of the population claims to be against hosting the World Cup in Brazil because they believe that the money spent for the event could be invested in various sectors of our country, since many have a high level of insecurity. In addition, excess government spending can repeat the episode of the Pan American Games in 2007, initially budgeted at 500 million dollars and it is estimated to have consumed four billion dollars.

Taking up an 84th position among the 187 countries measured in the Human Development Index (HDI) and almost 10% of the illiterate population, Brazil could use the 36 billion dollars to be invested in the Cup to solve more urgent problems, as the field of education and public health. To illustrate, with this value, it would be possible to build more than 400 teaching hospitals.

The World’s Cup is much more than building new stadiums. Urban improvements like to expand subway lines, new airports and roads, and increase quality of the hotel network and communication are essential. But now, except for some exceptional event, we are going to host the World Cup and we need to keep racing against the time and hope that the whole structure created for this event becomes a legacy for our country, but in my opinion, we will not see the benefits in short and long term.

A Cup of Sexual Exploitation 

What really saddens me…

Brazil has one of the highest levels of juvenile sexual exploitation in the world. According to the National Forum for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Labor, a network of non-governmental organizations, there are 500,000 children and adolescents in the sex industry in Brazil (2012 data) is estimated. This index tends to grow even more with the 2014 World Cup. In March 2012, it was reported the “Pantanal 2014 Cup Girl” website which published pictures and videos of minors in sexy positions and promotional T-shirts alluding to the tournament football. We have already seen that type of adverting in some cities in Brazil.

I would like to be optimistic as I am always, but unfortunately, I do think we could direct all these resources to improve the lives of all Brazilians.

Despite the lack of urban infrastructure, health, education, security, etc., yet I am passionate about football — I played football with my brothers untill  18 years old — I will support Brazil team, and I hope that Brazil will be champion… I will dress myself in green and yellow!