Cadu Albuquerque Takes on eSports at Lula’s Government Sports Ministry

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Cadu Albuquerque, former President of the Rio de Janeiro Electronic Sports Federation (Ferjes), has been appointed National Director of Sports at the Ministry of Sport. This appointment, announced last week, establishes Brazil’s first-ever government-appointed National Director of Esports. Albuquerque’s appointment was officially published in the Federal Official Gazette on May 20, 2026. In his new federal capacity, Albuquerque will focus on developing public policies and initiatives to strengthen Brazil’s esports ecosystem. This directorship, the highest national position for esports, operates within the Sports Ministry’s structure. Marcio Zuba de Oliva previously held this role until his removal approximately one month before Albuquerque’s appointment. Oliva served as National Director of Esports from October 2024 to April 2026. This directorship was among Andre Fufuca’s initial actions after assuming leadership of the Sports Ministry in September 2023. Albuquerque’s extensive background includes his presidency at Ferjes and experience with major global industry players like ESL FACEIT Group. He is therefore well-prepared for his new responsibilities. Albuquerque has indicated that the changes at Ferjes represent a continuation of existing work. His appointment signifies the official recognition of competitive gaming as a key element of Brazil’s national strategy.

Barbara Correa, previously Operations Director and Vice President of Ferjes, now assumes the role of Interim President. Correa’s leadership at Ferjes will emphasize inclusion, the advancement of the female esports scene, and the production of major competitive events. She will also champion educational and socially impactful projects developed by the Federation. Under Correa’s leadership, Ferjes will promote Rainhas do Clutch 2026, an international inclusive Counter-Strike 2 tournament for women. The event is scheduled for June 23-26, 2026, at Marina da Gloria in Rio de Janeiro. Correa brings significant experience to her interim role, having been involved in the production of over 40 projects and events at Ferjes since 2023, often alongside Cadu Albuquerque. Past highlights include CFE 2025, held in the Atlantic, and the preproduction of IEM Rio 2026 at Farmasi Arena.

Barbara Correa Advances Esports Inclusion at Ferjes, Focusing on Education and Diversity

Correa views sports as a powerful tool for transformation, inclusion, and opportunity. She stated that in this new challenge, she aims to further expand the Federation’s impact by reinforcing projects that connect education, diversity, and professionalization within the esports ecosystem. Correa holds a degree in Political Science from Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Unirio) and previously engaged in initiatives focused on youth leadership, social projects, and strategic planning before entering the sports sector. Information for this report was provided by Dust2. This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Portal Uai.

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