The Regional Director for Communities stated in Rio de Janeiro that the "Autonomy is also a key tool for the assertion of the Azorean Diaspora in the world," which has greatly enhanced the social and cultural dynamics of the society where Azorean emigrants have settled.
 
Paulo Teves spoke at the delivery of prizes of the Autonomy Cup - Futsal Tournament between the Houses of the Azores in South America. The government official emphasised "the path followed by these institutions and many others in several parts of the globe as a result of the will of Azorean emigrants and their descendants who, despite being outside the insular space, greatly contribute to the construction and progress of the Region."
 
In this regard, he stressed "their important role in the promotion of the Region as a tourist destination, disseminating the archipelago's potential and even the institutional and political relation between the Azores, host provinces and states."
 
"As an essential asset in the promotion of the Azores and, consequently, of Portugal, the Government has supported, through a close and permanent partnership, dozens of Azorean community organisations," stressed Paulo Teves. The government official added that this cooperation "has enabled the Azorean Diaspora to provide a response in the dissemination of the Azores of today, highlighting the Region's potential in several areas and fostering the participation of young people of Azorean descent. The actions of these organisations are based on the work for the preservation of the Azorean identity."
 
Paulo Teves delivered the Autonomy Cup to the House of the Azores of Rio de Janeiro, the tournament winner. The government official conveyed the Azorean Government's satisfaction in attending the event," highlighting the "special symbolism of celebrating 40 years of Azorean Autonomy outside the archipelago. It symbolises and reinforces the idea that where there is an Azorean or an Azorean descendant, the Azores exist."
 
The Regional Director for Communities also stressed that the organisation of this competition, which brought together many young people of Azorean descent, represents the "Government's investment in the promotion of a policy of proximity to this specific audience."
 
In this regard, the government official added that the Azores Training Course 2016 will gather 16 young people from several Azorean communities next month on the islands of Terceira, Graciosa, Santa Maria and São Miguel. It includes a series of actions coordinated with various Houses of the Azores with the aim of "providing young people with an in-depth knowledge of current reality of the Azores."
 
Autonomy Cup - Futsal Tournament featured the participation of more than thirty athletes representing the Houses of the Azores of Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo and Santa Catarina (Brazil) and the House of the Azores of Uruguay, as well as dozens of supporters of each institution.
 
In the final event of this competition, the House of the Azores of Rio de Janeiro played against the House of the Azores of Santa Catarina. It won the competition with a 3-2 win.
 
In addition to celebrating the 40 years of Autonomy, the initiative also aimed to promote the actions of Azorean community associations among young people. The event was attended by the Consul General of Portugal in Rio de Janeiro, Nuno Bello and Henry Whuck, an Azorean descendant whose father was born on the island of Terceira. In 2014, he was elected the Best Football 7 Player of the World and, currently, he plays for Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro.
 
This tournament honoured three players of the first team of the House of the Azores of Rio de Janeiro in 1958; they emigrated from Terceira Island.