It is the second time that CBTM has won the prestigious award; in fact, it is the second time in succession; they won in 2019, the event not being organised in 2020 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Understandably it was a delighted Alaor Azevedo, the CBTM President and recently elected ITTF Vice President.

“Table tennis is experiencing its best years. We had our best ever campaign in the Olympic Games and recently at the World Championships, Hugo Calderano was very close to winning a medal. If I had said that a few years ago, they’d have said I was crazy. Recently, we held in Joinville a competition with almost 2,000 athletes, 55 tables. Our challenge is to make sure that the 40 million people who play ping-pong can practise the sport.” Alaor Azevedo

Volleyball finished in second place ahead of sailing; rugby union and triathlon claimed joint fourth position with golf being the next in line.

“It is an honour to receive this award. I thank Fabiana Bentes, the founder of Sou do Esporte. I’m sure that several confederations have come to value governance because of Sport Sou.” Alaor Azevedo

It was this was the sixth time CBTM had been nominated. In 2015, fifth place was outcome, in 2016 and 2017, third place was the lot, in 2018, runners up.

Concluding, Azevedo stressed the importance of the contribution made by Geraldo Campestrini, CBTM Sports Director; in addition to thanking the Brazilian Olympic Committee, the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, the Brazilian Club Committee and the Caixa Econômica Federal (Federal Savings Bank), the sport lottery organiser.

Sou do Esporte is a non-profit organisation; its values are ethics, transparency, teamwork and responsibility with oneself and third parties.

Additional to Sou do Esporte, CBTM gained the highest marks in the “Management, Ethics and Transparency” programme organised by the Brazilian National Olympic Committee, as well as being named amongst the top five of the rating promoted by Athletes by Brazil, the Ethos Institute and Lide Sport.