SiGMA Foundation inaugurates sports centre in Heliópolis, the largest favela in São Paulo
Last Monday, 7 April, the community of Heliópolis, the largest favela in São Paulo, hosted an event that went far beyond a simple inauguration. The SiGMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the SiGMA Group, officially opened the doors of a new sports centre aimed at children and young people in the area, Faculdade da Luta, with the goal of promoting social inclusion, education, and transformation through sport.
The project is the result of a collaboration between the SiGMA Foundation, Centurion FC — a mixed martial arts (MMA) club led by Gallo, its founder and CEO — and representatives from the local community. Several important people attended the ceremony, including Eman Pulis, founder of SiGMA; the Ambassador of Malta to Brazil, John Aquilina; and lawyer Leandro Bonvino, who served as the project’s liaison and played a key role in connecting with the community.
A proposal that rises from the heart of the community
Located in the southern zone of São Paulo’s capital, Heliópolis is known not only for its strong community organisation, but also for the social and economic challenges faced by its residents. It was in this context that the idea of creating a sports space emerged — not just a training centre, but a genuine instrument for social transformation.
“The goal here is not just to train athletes; it is to shape citizens. To give these children an alternative, to show them there is another path — one of discipline, respect, and education,” said Leandro Bonvino in an interview during the event.
Bonvino, who works as a lawyer and consultant for the project, was responsible for connecting international partners to the local reality and ensuring the community’s needs were heard and met.
Around 40 children from the Saint Angelo area participated in the event. They are the true target audience of Faculdade da Luta: young people seeking opportunity through sport.
The centre will offer MMA and jiu-jitsu training, English classes, courses in sports marketing, financial education, and self-defence classes for women. By integrating martial arts with practical life skills, students will gain access to opportunities that go beyond sports.
Modern infrastructure for complete development
The sports centre was designed to meet the diverse needs of future Heliópolis athletes. The space was inaugurated with a variety of strength and conditioning machines for athletes’ preparation. New fighting materials were also acquired, such as gloves, shin guards, and wraps, ensuring martial arts practitioners have access to quality equipment for their training.
The centre complements athletic and academic formation by including classrooms where they will hold English lessons and basic preparation classes for athletes. These classes include guidance on nutrition. This entire educational plan aims to broaden the professional outlook of young people, preparing them for opportunities both within and beyond the sports environment.
Roberto Gallo, founder of Centurion FC, commented on the partnership and vision for the project:
“We believe that, by providing world-class MMA training alongside education and career development, we are creating an opportunity for these young people to build a promising future. Our goal is to offer the necessary tools so they can excel both in sport and in life.”
The goal is not only to train young athletes, but to create a space where they can develop values such as discipline, teamwork, respect, and resilience. The initiative is already mobilising volunteers and local institutions interested in collaborating through workshops, academic support, and mentorship.
Partnership with Fundação Casa
, also known as FEBEM, is the former name of the institution responsible for minors who have committed infractions in Brazil — young people who have committed some illegal act. The acronym stood for Fundação Estadual do Bem-Estar do Menor. Today, it has been renamed Fundação CASA (Centro de Atendimento Socioeducativo ao Adolescente). The institution’s role is to re-educate and reintegrate these adolescents into society by offering schooling, psychological support, and activities such as workshops and sports — all with a focus on social reintegration and preventing repeat offences.
Leandro Bonvino mentioned that one of his next steps regarding Faculdade da Luta is to invest in a partnership with Fundação CASA. Particularly offering new opportunities for underage youth offenders who are willing to start over, dedicating time and discipline to the activities offered at the Heliópolis sports centre.
Faculdade da Luta is located at Rua Antônio Lamas, 73 – Parque Fongaro, and is open to the public with no age restrictions.
This article was first published in Portuguese on 8 April 2025.
