15/12/2025
Academies help South America and Africa’s growth as ‘seed is sown’ in Zambia
19/08/2025 3 MIN
Four countries across South America and Africa have been the focus of the FIG’s latest educational activities
Paraguay is one of South America’s developing gymnastics nations and the staging of two recent educational courses will only help boost that growth further.
The first was a Foundations of Gymnastics course, held from 22-27 April at the Paraguayan Gymnastics Federation’s (FPG) national centre in Asuncion. Marco Bortoleto (BRA) as expert/course leader and Lucia Santos (URU) as expert led an enthusiastic group of 17 participants from four countries – Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay.
“They showed really positive energy and a strong interest in learning, and several of them had already participated in other FIG Academy courses, highlighting the importance of this one for their work as gymnastics coaches,” said Bortoleto.
The Paraguayan capital later hosted a Level 2 Rhythmic Gymnastics academy between 1 and 6 July, led by FIG expert Marta Bobo (ESP) with the support of Anita Klemann (BRA). There were 10 coaches on the course from five PAGU countries – with participants from Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica and Venezuela, as well as the host nation.
Bobo thanked the FPG for the “excellent” National Sports System Facilities, built recently for the Youth World Games and subsequently host of the Rhythmic Gymnastics competitions at August’s Junior Panamerican Games. She was also grateful for the support of the FPG whose president, Paula Espinola, was president at both the opening and closing ceremony.
The Paraguayan capital later hosted a Level 2 Rhythmic Gymnastics academy between 1 and 6 July 2025
Level 2 Rhythmic Gymnastics academy in Asuncion (PAR)
Elsewhere in South America, Ecuador staged a Level 1 academy for Trampoline Gymnastics from 7-11 July. FIG experts Jose Miguel Cantos (ESP) and Claudio Adorno (ARG) oversaw the academy, held at San Francisco de Quito University and attended by 14 coaches from five nations –Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico as well as Ecuador.
According to Michelle Andrade from the Ecuadorian Federation of Gymnastics, the opportunity to stage an academy in the country highlighted “a commitment to the development of gymnastics in the region”.
‘Seed planted’ in Zambia
Development was certainly the goal of the FIG Age Group Camp for Acrobatic Gymnastics staged in Lusaka (ZAM) from 7-11 July. And for Yves Van der Donckt (BEL), the FIG expert who led the camp, the five days of activities provided enough encouragement to affirm that “the seed has been planted”.
Six coaches took part in the camp which was coordinated with the support of Zambian Gymnastics Federation president Richard Salunoka. Van der Donckt is hopeful it will help with the creation of a roadmap for Acrobatic Gymnastics in Zambia and that the presence of coaches from neighbouring Malawi will prove a positive step for that country too.
Van der Donckt added: “This camp succeeded in sparking interest and laying foundational knowledge of Acrobatic Gymnastics within Zambia. With the active involvement of participants from Malawi and constructive feedback from local leaders, the event ended with optimism about the sport’s future potential in the region.”
The last course in the reporting period was a Level 1 academy for Rhythmic Gymnastics in Cairo (EGY), held from 19-23 July. Course leaders Helena Dias (POR) and Elysabeth Payseva (BUL) guided a group of 23 participants from three federations, namely Egypt, Bulgaria and Morocco.
Level 1 academy for Rhythmic Gymnastics in Cairo (EGY)
Level 1 academy for Rhythmic Gymnastics in Cairo (EGY)
For more educational resources, visit the FIG Education YouTube channel and the FIG eLearning platform.
