Mozambican authorities have detained Portuguese coach Alberto Lário, a figure who has been a reference for new generations of athletics in Mozambique, the coach himself told Lusa from the police station on Wednesday.
Alberto Lário was arrested early Tuesday afternoon on the track at Parque dos Continuadores by three officers, including one from the Mozambican Migration Service, who claimed there were irregularities in his documentation.
“They claim it is an issue related to my residence permit (DIRE), but I have an application to acquire citizenship that has been pending for more than six years,” the coach explained by telephone from the police station.
According to Alberto Lário, the matter is already being debated at ministerial level, but if it is not finally resolved, he says he will leave the country.
“If this is not finally resolved, I will leave. What else can be done?” asked the coach, noting that he only fears that he will have to give up the work he has been developing with young Mozambican athletes for years.
“We were all shocked when they arrested him and if their idea is to deport him to Portugal it would be very bad for Mozambican athletics,” an athlete who has worked with the coach told Lusa.
Alberto Lário, who was born in Mozambique and has lived in the country for several years, reached the milestone by placing Verónica José among the six best female junior athletes in the world, in a bet supported by the Portuguese Association (AP) of Mozambique.
The World Championship in Cali, Colombia, scheduled for August, will be the first major international competition for the 1,500-meter runner, who beat the 4.29-minute time in Braga and improves her performance.
“I’ve spoken to Verónica, she has to keep going no matter what. Not just her, but all the other athletes I work with,” said Alberto Lario.
Lusa tried unsuccessfully to get clarification from Mozambique’s Migration Services.
Source: El heraldo
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