The Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Culture said today in Angra do Heroísmo, sport can play a role "very important in the fight against abandonment and promoting school success" in the Azores.

Speaking at the press conference for the launch of the 25th edition of School Sports Games, Luiz Fagundes Duarte said that "nowadays there is a close interaction between sport and education," given the age of the audience involved.

"Our students have to achieve good results at school and, simultaneously, and demonstrate an active and committed attitude in the practice of sport, defended the government official.

The Regional Secretary stressed that the School Sports Games "help creating an identity for school." This initiative has been continuously organised in the Azores for 25 years - unique in its kind in Portugal.

According to Luiz Fagundes Duarte, this spirit is "critical" for youngsters to "realise the importance of achieving good school results and for making schools feel proud of their students."

Luiz Fagundes Duarte revealed that a total of 700 students from 22 of the 40 school establishments throughout the Region will participate in this year's edition of the School Sports Games. The event will take place from March 25 to May 16 on the islands of São Miguel, Flores, S. Jorge, Graciosa and Pico.

During the press conference organised by the Regional Directorate of Sport, the government official also announced the winner of the contest for the Sports Games logo.

Selected among 28 proposals, the team composed by Ricardo Furtado, Leila Pacheco and Catarina Arruda from Monsenhor João Maurício do Amaral Ferreira Vocational Training School, Povoação, was the winner of this contest.