A 17-year-old teenager died last Saturday (15), in São Paulo, after hitting the backboard of a basketball hoop while playing sports. Levi Edson Correa was practicing on the field in the afternoon with a friend when he celebrated a point by commenting on the fallen structure.
This case occurred in the building of the Community Club Jardim Nélia, located in Itaim Paulista, in the Oriental Region. According to the military police, he died at the scene.
The club is managed by the Dede Santana Institute, a non-profit organization. During the week, sports, cultural and educational activities are provided. On weekends, the space is available for free use.
According to the unit’s director, Fabio Aguiar Santos, Edson was training with a friend when the accident occurred. Fabio said: “Levi was this afternoon (15), at about 3:30 p.m., playing with another teenage friend. When he threw a ball into the basket, he caught it to celebrate and then the pole advanced, and the table fell on top of him. We are in extreme shock at the situation.”
The director stated that the institute is available to the family. “We are so sorry.”
Last year, Ricardo Nunes’ management (MDB) announced the completion of a R$1.1 million renovation of the club area, but did not mention the basket as part of the improvements made.
The basketball backboard, according to Fabio, was built by the community itself. The club director said: “There was no intervention from the city council.” “It was the community that did it, and it took about seven months.”
The case is being investigated by the 50th Police District (Itaim Paulista) as a suspicious death, according to São Paulo’s Public Security Secretariat.
On social media, friends mourned Levi’s death. The Peraltas Institute, where Levy played, said in a statement: “We have lost a young man from the under-17 category who was a complete light – affectionate, polite, a friend and with a big heart. An athlete who always brought joy to training and who characterized each of us in a unique way.”
All CDCs in São Paulo City are managed by third sector organizations. There are currently 235 in operation. The Municipal Administration of Sports and Entertainment organizes elections, which will take care of these spaces and monitor their use.
About The Author
