I am very proud to be both Navajo and American. As the President of the Navajo Nation, I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring that, as a Navajo, my story -- and our stories -- are part of our collective American history. Today, I want to share one of those stories with you.
There was a time when our nations, American and Navajo, were at war with each other -- when the U.S. Cavalry forcibly rounded up Navajo men, women, and children, and marched them at gunpoint to a foreign land hundreds of miles away. During this time, some of my Navajo ancestors successfully hid at a sacred place of prayer, shelter, and fortitude: the Bears Ears area of Utah.
Bears Ears National Monument
This beautiful piece of land stretches for over a million acres across the southern edge of the state. Its ancient cliff dwellings, ceremonial sites, abundant rock art, countless cultural artifacts, winding creek beds, and expanses of desert land, contain the great history of my nation.
This place served to protect my family then, just as it has protected many Native American people throughout the years.
This action reflects the President’s profound record on conservation: He has done more than any other president in history to set aside more land and water for the future.
But it is also in accordance with his actions to elevate the voices of Native people. Five sovereign tribal nations petitioned to have this irreplaceable land conserved.
Bears Ears National Monument is sacred not only to the Diné people, but also our Hopi, Ute, and Zuni neighbors. These tribes came together in an unprecedented show of unity to conserve these lands for future generations of all Americans. This intertribal coalition also pushed for a new standard for national monuments and tribal involvement.
With this step to protect and conserve these irreplaceable lands, he has set a new precedent for national monument tribal collaborative management. And he has strengthened the relationship between our Navajo and American nations.
As both Navajo and American, I am proud our President listened to a sovereign appeal and acted to preserve our sacred land for future generations.
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Arthur Antunes Coimbra (Portuguese pronunciation: [aʁˈtuʁ ɐ̃ˈtũnis koˈĩbɾɐ], born March 3, 1953 in Rio de Janeiro), better known as Zico ([ˈziku]), is a Brazilian coach and former footballer, who played as an attacking midfielder. Often called the "White Pelé", he was a creative player, gifted with excellent technical ability and vision,[2] and he is considered one of the most skilled finishers and best passers ever.[3] Arguably the world's best player of the late 1970s and early 80s, he is regarded as one of the best playmakers and free kick specialists of all time, able to bend the ball in all directions.[4] In 1999, Zico came eighth in the FIFA Player of the Century grand jury vote, and in 2004 was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.[5][6] According to Pelé, generally considered the best player ever, "throughout the years, the one player that came closest to me was Zico".[7]
With 48 goals in 71 official appearances for Brazil, Zico is fifth highest goalscorer for his national team.[8] He represented them in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups. They did not win any of those tournaments, even though the 1982 squad is considered one of the greatest Brazilian national squads ever.[9] Zico is often considered one of the best players in football history not to have been on a World Cup winning squad. He was chosen 1981[10] and 1983 Player of the Year.
Zico has coached the Japanese national team, appearing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and winning the Asian Cup 2004, and Fenerbahçe, who were a quarter-finalist in 2007–08 in the Champions League under his command. He was announced as the head coach of CSKA Moscow in January 2009. On 16 September 2009, Zico was signed by Greek side Olympiacos for a two-year contract after the club's previous coach, Temuri Ketsbaia, was sacked. He was fired four months later, on 19 January 2010.
Zico was not physically strong, and his story of determination and discipline began with a hard muscle and body development program conducted by the physical education teacher José Roberto Francalacci. A combination of hard work and also a special diet sponsored by his team enabled Zico to develop a strong body and become an athlete. This later proved to be essential for his success.[13]
During 1971 and 1972, he shifted from youth to professional team and back. Coach Fleitas Solich had confidence in Zico's abilities and promoted him, on the other hand the situation changed when the Paraguayan coach left and Zagallo took over. He believed Zico to be too young and sent him back to the youth team. Things only improved for Zico when Joubert, his first coach at the youth team, was appointed the new coach for the seniors and fully promoted him after 116 matches and 81 goals in the youth team.
International career
An episode related to Brazil national football team almost made Zico give up on his career. He made his international debut in the South American Qualifier to the 1972 Summer Olympics playing 5 matches and scoring the qualifying goal against Argentina. Despite this fact, he wasn't called up to the Munich games. He felt extremely frustrated and told his father in dismay he wanted to stop playing football. He even got absent from training at Flamengo for 10 days, being later convinced otherwise by his brothers.
In the 1978 World Cup against Sweden, Zico headed a corner kick into the goal in the final minute of the match, apparently breaking a 1–1 tie. However, in a call that became infamous, the Welsh referee Clive Thomas disallowed the goal, saying that he had blown the whistle to end the match while the ball was still in the air. Zico won a bronze medal for Brazil at the 1978 World Cup, defeating Italy in the 3rd place final.[25] Zico also won another bronze medal with Brazil in the 1979 Copa América.
The 1982 World Cup would see Zico as part of a fantastic squad, side by side with Falcão, Sócrates, Cerezo and Júnior. In spite of his 4 goals and the great amount of skill in that squad, the team was defeated by Paolo Rossi and Italy in the second round group stage.
He played in the 1986 FIFA World Cup while still injured, and missed a penalty during regular time in the quarter-final match against France.[26] The match ended in a tie which led to a shootout. Zico then scored his goal, but penalties missed by Sócrates and Júlio César knocked Brazil out.
Having been cleared of all the tax evasion charges by Italian officials in 1988, Zico decided to pay a tribute to Udine, the city that had madly welcomed him six years before, and played his farewell match for the Seleção in March 1989 losing 1–2 to a World All-Stars team at Stadio Friuli.
The Zico Soccer Camp is designed to improve the athlete skills and knowledge of the soccer game. Each camper will have the opportunity to experience the same coaching style that revealed so many soccer players from Brazil. Zico Academy’s philosophy is based on the following six principles: planning, behavior, physiology, physical conditioning, technical skills and tactical concepts. These principles are implemented through Zico Academy educational methodology. Zico Academy Methodology has proven to be very effective in empowering players around the world. Players develop a faster speed of thought and a more unpredictable style of play on the field. We develop athletes and human beings, preparing great leaders inside and outside of the field. Our programs are for boys and girls age 4-18 years old.
Former professional players and active coaches are part of our coaching staff. They have exceptional coaching skills and commitment of the campers’ development. They encourage each participant to reach their own level of accomplishment through a positive, exciting and supportive environment. Zico Soccer Camp is an exciting experience for young aspiring athletes and is open for all abilities, boys and girls. The participants will understand the “Zico way of playing” and will recognize the importance of hard work, healthy living, and team concepts. Our programs are focus on training the complete athlete, physically, mentally and spiritually.
Who is Zico? – Arthur Antunes Coimbra, born 3 March 1953 in Rio de Janeiro, better known as Zico (ziku]), is a Brazilian coach and former footballer. Often called the “White Pelé,” he is commonly considered one of the most skilled dribblers and finishers ever and possibly the world’s best player of the early 80′s. He was also known as one of history’s greatest free kick specialists, able to bend the ball with pace and accuracy as well as having an extremely powerful shot. The gifted midfielder was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004. Also according to Pelé, generally considered the best footballer ever, “throughout the years, the one player that came closest to me was Zico.”
Borough:
Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island
Sports Offered:
Soccer
Genders:
Female, Male
Age Groups:
4-7, 8-10, 11-14, 15-18
Programs Offered:
Summer Programs
CFZ - Centro de Futebol Zico:
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Within a 10 minute drive of one of the best beaches of Rio de Janeiro…
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…is one of the oldest and most famous soccer schools in Brazil.
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In the 80s many boys went to sleep whispering his name in hopes of one day becoming him. One of the most skilled players of all time, arguably the best player of early 1980s, and 1983 World Player of the Year, Zico went on affecting the world of soccer long after his playing days were over. Initially he retired and went into politics. During his brief turn as Brazil’s Minister of Sports legislation was enacted that is still being referred to as Zico’s law. Less than a year after retiring, Zico returned to football and went to play in Japan. The result of Zico’s playing and later coaching in Japan, including his coaching stint with the Japanese National Team, earned Zico a statue outside the stadium in the city of Kashima, as well as the modest nickname "God of Soccer." Lately he has coached in Turkey, in 2008 taking his Fenerbahce team to its best international showing in history, and earning from Turkish fans another nickname, "King Arthur" (Zico’s first name is Arthur).
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In 1996, while still largely working in Japan, Zico opened a football school in his native Rio de Janeiro. Now Centro de Football Zico, or CFZ, is the most famous futebol school in Rio, and possibly in all of Brazil. Besides providing soccer training to Brazilian and international students of all ages, CFZ also has its own professional soccer team, and, unofficially, is closely linked to the Brazil’s most popular football team, Flamengo. Flamengo gave Zico his start and supported him in good times and bad. Zico repaid Flamengo by helping the club to its so called Golden Age, represented by 4 National Championships, Copa Libertadores (South American Champions Cup) and Intercontinental Cup of 1981, when Flamengo comfortably defeated Liverpool for the title of the Best Football Club on Earth. Not surprisingly, Flamengo’s training center also happens to be down the street from the CFZ.
 Zico has many videos on a Brazilian football tactics and even a Japanese Nintendo game called Zico Soccer – make no mistake, Zico is a big deal.
Despite his busy schedule and intense travel, Zico still takes a very active part in the school’s affairs. “There are very few things here that are decided without consulting the owner of the school,” one of the head coaches told FoSoX’s representative. Sure enough, during his 3 visits to CFZ, FoSoX’s representative twice overheard bits and pieces of cell phone conversations which included: “Yes Zico,” “Of course Zico”, “Zico, do you think we should…” and so on. When he happens to be on the premices, Zico would often conduct a training session himself. Those who choose to train in CFZ would definitely be learning their skills the Zico’s way, or the way of the champion.
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Besides providing for a distinct country feel, CFZ may also be the only soccer school on our list…
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…with relatively easy access to Rio de Janeiro.
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Barra Shopping, one of the largest shopping mall in Latin America, is also located nearby,
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…as well as a beautiful suburban beach, Praia do Recreio.
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Drive for ten minutes, and you will reach Barra da Tijuca, which looks just like Miami. Often called simply "Barra," Barra da Tijuca is one of Rio’s most affluent suburbs and is home to many foreigners as well as the city’s rich and famous. It's full of multi-star hotels and restaurants for all tastes and price-ranges, boasts rich nightlife and has its own awe-inspiring beach that goes for miles and miles.
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It also hosts the Rio’s only ice skating rink in the shopping mallBarra Garden.
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The school will often provide rides to the nearby attractions. However, should that option not be available, there are multiple public bus routes within a 5 minute walk. One of those buses will brisk you along all the famed beaches of the city over the course of two hours…
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…and eventually arrive at the center of downtown Rio.
FoSoX recommends that visitors go to Rio de Janeiro in larger groups only!
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Compared to other Brazilian football schools, CFZ is rather small, but it still offers more than enough soccer-related activities. The school is divided into two separate parts.
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The training center, where the foreign students are usually trained and housed, is small, only 5.4 acres2 or 22,000m2.
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while the other part of the school, which is mostly administrative, is 8.3 acres2 or 34,000m2.
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CFZ has 6 soccer fields: 4 are natural grass and standard size, and the 2 others are artificial grass minis.
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The center has all the usual soccer training equipment such as game cones, shooting walls, mini-goals etc.
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The school offers programs for foreign students from age 12 on. Experience in working with foreigners here arguably is the best. Besides members of Japanese National Team, the school has trained many other Japanese students, as well as students from Norway, Korea, the United States, and many other countries. Most of CFZ staff speaks enough English to deal with language barrier. If a group feels that it needs an interpreter, the staff has access to interpreters but recommends that visitors bring their own.
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