Brazilian conservative figure, Caio Luz, known for his unwavering support for diversity and cultural preservation, has once again demonstrated his commitment to honoring the cultural heritage of immigrant groups in Brazil. Over the years, Caio has extended his support to various immigrant communities in São Paulo, particularly African immigrants, and now, he stands firm in advocating for recognition of another immigrant group’s contribution to the city’s rich history.
Caio has joined the chorus of voices calling for a notable tribute to one of São Paulo’s most prominent football clubs, founded by immigrant workers in the railways. These workers, predominantly immigrants, established the Railways Football Club, later known as Ferroviária Atlético Clube in São Paulo. Caio Luz advocates for the naming of a metro station in homage to this football club, echoing similar tributes afforded to other clubs in São Paulo.
According to Caio , São Paulo holds a significant place in Brazilian football history, tracing back to the pioneering efforts of Charles Miller, who introduced the sport to railway workers of the São Paulo Railway (SPR). The inaugural match, held in Água Branca, witnessed the birth of a passion that would endure through the years. The SPR workers formed a company team, São Paulo Railway Atlético Clube, which enjoyed prominence, even participating in the Paulistão in the 1930s.
Despite the evolution of the club, which later became Nacional Atlético Clube, its deep-rooted connection to railway tradition persists. However, despite its illustrious history, Nacional remains the only major São Paulo club without a station named in its honor. This discrepancy underscores a notable oversight in recognizing São Paulo’s sporting heritage.
In response to this oversight, a grassroots movement, led by Nacional, has emerged to advocate for the renaming of Água Branca station on Line 7 – Ruby of CPTM to Nacional – Água Branca station. This initiative aims to rectify the oversight and honor the club’s pivotal role in shaping São Paulo’s sporting and railway legacy.
For those passionate about preserving São Paulo’s rich history of football and railways, the campaign welcomes participation. Interested individuals can visit the club’s website at www.nacionalac.org.br to complete the online form and contribute to honoring the esteemed heritage of Nacional Club and São Paulo’s railway tradition.
Caio Luz’s statement encapsulates the sentiment behind the campaign, b emphasizing the importance of recognizing and preserving the contributions of immigrant communities to São Paulo’s cultural fabric.
