Schaffhausen/Rio de Janeiro, November 1, 2023: IWC Schaffhausen and Laureus Sport for Good came together to invite two Brazilian star athletes and Laureus Academy members, Cafu and Daniel Dias, to celebrate the winner of the 2022 IWC Drawing Competition. The competition’s theme revolved around “Time for the Planet,” and the remarkable 15-year-old artist, João Paulo from Instituto Bola Pra Frente, secured the public’s vote with his inspirational drawing. The annual drawing competition, a collaborative effort between IWC and Laureus, aims to harness the transformative power of sports and culture in aiding young individuals to overcome discrimination and inequality in their lives.
Every year, IWC Schaffhausen and Laureus Sport for Good unite for the IWC Drawing Competition, offering young people from over 300 Laureus-supported programs worldwide the chance to express their creativity through artwork under a specific theme. In the 2022 edition, the theme was “Time for the Planet,” and João Paulo, aged 15, triumphed by securing the public vote.
João Paulo’s winning artwork focused on the environment and climate change, depicting people embracing one another around the globe, symbolizing unity devoid of discrimination and bias. João Paulo drew inspiration from his passion for sports, saying, “I really enjoy playing football and playing with my friends. That’s what motivated me to draw the picture and take part in the competition.”
To celebrate João Paulo’s victory, Brazilian football legend Cafu and the highly decorated Brazilian paralympic swimmer Daniel Dias paid a visit to Instituto Bola Pra Frente. The day was marked by festivities, with the presence of João Paulo, other young participants from the program, guests, and the two esteemed Laureus Academy Members. It featured activities such as football and group engagements, perfectly exemplifying IWC’s enduring partnership with Laureus. As a global partner of Laureus since 2005, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer lends support to the organization’s mission of utilizing the influence of sports to bring about positive change in the lives of underprivileged youth worldwide.
Our longstanding partnership with Laureus reflects our commitment to drive societal change and support young people and the annual IWC Drawing Competition has been a cornerstone of our partnership. At IWC, we are deeply impressed by the creativity and effort the young participants put into their drawings. Congratulations on winning the 2022 edition, João Paulo!
Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen
Situated in the northern region of Rio de Janeiro, Instituto Bola Pra Frente is a program backed by Laureus. Founded in 2000 by the World Cup-winning football legend, Jorginho, the name “Bola Pra Frente” translates to “pass the ball forward” in Portuguese. This initiative employs sports, cultural literacy, and education as tools to foster a well-rounded knowledge base, healthy living practices, socio-emotional skills, and the promotion of citizenship within its community.
Cafu, a Laureus Academy Member, expressed, “The programs supported by Laureus Sport for Good always transcend the realm of sports, and this fantastic competition provides these young individuals with an opportunity to express themselves in a unique manner. I was truly impressed by João Paulo, not only for his artistic talent but also for his character. I hope that winning this competition inspires him to further explore his exceptional talent and paves the way for future opportunities.”
LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD
Laureus represents a global movement that leverages the power of sports to positively transform the lives of children and young people. In 2000, the founding patron of Laureus, Nelson Mandela, famously stated, “Sport has the power to change the world,” and this sentiment has since become the guiding philosophy of Laureus, fueling its endeavors. Since the year 2000, Laureus Sport for Good has harnessed the transformative power of sports to combat violence, discrimination, and inequality, leading to significant improvements in the lives of over six and a half million children and young individuals. Currently, Laureus supports more than 300 programs across over 40 countries and territories.
For more information, please visit IWC.com.