TERRIBLE STATE OF REPAIR – THE MATA DA MADRE DE DEUS SPORTS CENTRE IN THE PARISH OF BEATO IN LISBON

Outubro 20, 2024

The tarpaulins are still torn and the Mata da Madre de Deus kiosk remains closed. Time passes and passes. It used to be a pleasant spot, with a kiosk and a great terrace run by the Mustard Brothers, where the public park was better looked after. We drank our coffee surrounded by nature. At other times, the parish’s Christmas markets were held, as well as popular marches and other cultural activities.

The sports centre has always had structural deficiencies that have persisted for many years. The pitch cover is smaller than the size of the pitch. On rainy days, it becomes an impractical and dangerous ring for sports, making it unusable. The tarpaulins, torn and tired, dance in the wind like giant forgotten sheets. To the untrained eye, they turn into old guardians of time, patiently waiting for a miracle of sunshine to rejuvenate them and bring them back to life.

Public information on the site points to the Beato Parish Council, at Rua de Xabregas, nº. 67 – 1º, telephone 218 681 107, as the organisation responsible for the space. But why is this place called a ‘multi-sports playing field’? Can it be used for various sports? Which ones?

The lack of a functional sports centre has a significant impact at a time when young people are increasingly sedentary, largely due to the excessive use of technology (tablets, mobile phones, etc). The lack of adequate sports facilities discourages people, especially young people, from travelling to Mata da Madre de Deus, and consequently to the kiosk (if it were open). Physical activity is vital for physical and mental health, and a well-kept space could encourage greater community participation.

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In addition, it will be essential to revitalise the Madre de Deus Forest, otherwise it risks becoming an inhospitable place, prone to ‘attracting’ unwanted visitors, such as delinquents and drug addicts.

We believe and CALL UPON public and private entities to finally carry out the necessary works so that the parish of Beato has a covered sports pavilion, allowing different sports activities to be practised, such as volleyball, futsal, basketball, football, among others, by men’s and women’s teams.

We hope that the infrastructure at Mata da Madre de Deus will be restored, including repairing the worn-out structures, increasing the size of the pitch, demolishing the existing fence, upgrading the surrounding area and green spaces, and installing new infrastructure. And, before the end of this century, a roof should be built over the existing equipment, allowing it to be used all year round for sports, cultural and recreational events.

The aim of the AMEBEATO association is to enable different types of use of the space and the surrounding area, bringing it closer to the population, especially young people and the elderly. The association fights for the preservation and revitalisation of Lisbon’s Madre de Deus neighbourhood, integrating it into the city and the Beato Creative HUB.

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KNOW MORE:

http://www.amebeato.pt

https://amebeato.pt/produto/donativo/

https://informacoeseservicos.lisboa.pt/contactos/diretorio-da-cidade/polidesportivo-da-mata-da-madre-de-deus

The Association of Residents and Entrepreneurs of Beato (AMEBEATO) is a non-profit organisation whose primary objective is to represent, promote and defend the interests of its members, both individuals and companies. Its mission is the socio-economic, sporting, environmental and cultural development and progress of the residents and entrepreneurs of the parish of Beato.

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