Before the Macau Grand Prix officially kicks off, Macau’s team CF Racing Team 32 visited the Escola Primária Luso-Chinesa da Flora to meet with their young fans and inspire them through their team members’ stories.
Around 200 students showed up for the meeting at the school’s auditorium. Stephanie Fong, vice principal of the school, told the Times that all students, from kindergarten up to the sixth grade, were present in order to ask the riders questions and to get their autographs.
This is not the first time the school has organized an event like this, although it is the first time in the last ten years. “We encourage all our students to know about Macau’s sports events,” said Fong, who also said that in the past several years, the school has been taking its students outside to witness the race. This year, however, they decided to invite the riders to come to the school.
“Through the car races, we hope that children can know [more] about sports,” declared Fong, adding that the more important goal is to let students “understand that they need to spend effort on everything they do.”
The purpose underlying the autograph session is, according to Fong, to raise the awareness in children that for anyone to achieve success like the riders they need to devote themselves for a long time. “Hopefully, the students might get some initiative from this event for their sports, physical activities, and study,” said Fong.
Rider Allan Jon Venter told the Times that this is his second time meeting with children in Macau. Last year, he visited the Portuguese School, the rider had fun with the students, and was questioned by them, hoping as well to inspire kids the same way he had been inspired when he was young.
When asked about his suggestions for students who want to become riders, Allan Jon Venter explained, “The big thing for kids is to stay focused. Put your heads down, and if you decide something that you want to, you put your mind to it. You work hard for it.”
The rider said that his team is “pretty much prepared” for the Grand Prix. However, he judges this year’s Grand Prix competition to be stronger than it was last year.
João Fernandes, team owner, told the Times that it is important for the team to have this type of activity because they can “give a bit back to Macau.” He added “To be with the kids is always important for me. Their eyes are more real, […] even though sometimes their questions do not make sense, but it is very funny.”
João Fernandes revealed that his team had been preparing for the Grand Prix for five months.
Macau Daily Times is a media partner of the CF Racing Team 32.
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