On the 15th September, Sven Gatz, Brussels Minister of Finance, Budget, Promotion of Multilingualism, Tourism and Image of Brussels, officially gave a “swim start” to the Schoolyard14 campaign at Molenbeek’s public pool. Members from Rotary Club Brussels Cantersteen, 15 school children from Molenbeek, their teachers and the director of Ket & CO gathered to practice and/or observe swimming like a mermaid/merman.
The dream of the initiators is to realize a second Cruyff project called “Schoolyard14” at the Municipal Elementary School Ket & CO in Molenbeek. This school is located within walking distance of Cruyff Court Molenbeek. The investment is designed to strengthen the sports community as well as Molenbeek at large.
The event was a warm-up for the Open Dutch Mermaid Swimming Championship in Maastricht on the 27th of October. There, team Brussels will compete in the 100-metre speed race for adults and children in various other events. All to raise sponsorships for the Schoolyard14 campaign.
“This has been the most unusual request I have received in my career so far,” says Brussels Minister Sven Gatz. “At the same time the most fun one to open and watch. I send the campaigners all my support in this very entertaining, positive and sporting challenge. Bring the Dutch Mermaid cup to Brussels and swim fast for the sportive goal. That is to realize a Schoolyard14 in Brussels.”
Ultimately, the mermaids and mermen from Brussels are “fishing” for euros to realize Schoolyard14 in Molenbeek! Please help realize this worthy project by donating to their crowdfunding website. EU Political Report is proud to be a media partner for this charitable initiative.
