Dimitri ‘Dimi’ Amatjasir, a promising 15-year-old football talent from Suriname, has recently completed an intensive training period with Brazilian professional club Paysandu’s U-15 squad in Belém. The young athlete, who currently plays for Transvaal U-16 and the Surinamese national U-15 team, spent September training with the Brazilian club following a successful CONCACAF tournament in Curaçao.
The opportunity arose through connections maintained by Dimi’s father, who formally requested the training stint with Paysandu. Under the guidance of experienced former professional players—all certified coaches through the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF)—Dimi underwent daily sessions that significantly exceeded the intensity of his regular training regimen in Suriname. After an initial adaptation period, he successfully maintained the demanding pace.
Dimi’s performance so impressed Paysandu’s coaching staff that the club extended an invitation for him to continue training beyond the holiday period and participate as a guest player in Brazil’s premier U-15 tournament, the Aldeia International Cup. Held from December 1-7 in Recife’s state-of-the-art sports complex, the competition featured major Brazilian clubs including Santos, Palmeiras, and Vasco da Gama.
Critical to this opportunity was the coordination between Paysandu, Dimi’s school (Johannes Vrolijk Muloschool II in Lelydorp), and Suriname’s Ministry of Education. The club provided formal written requests to both institutions, ensuring arrangements were made for Dimi to continue his academic studies remotely while prioritizing his mulodiploma. His local club, Transvaal, also supported his temporary departure.
Returning to Brazil in late October, Dimi made his first appearance for Paysandu at the COP 30 U-15 tournament in Belém, where he scored his inaugural goal for the club. The entire experience—from training at Brazil’s highest youth level to the tournament’s organization and atmosphere—provided him with profound learning opportunities and unforgettable memories.
The article highlights how Suriname’s national team has recently galvanized public interest in football, creating unprecedented demand for match tickets. However, maintaining this enthusiasm requires developing youth players through intensive, modern training methods. While many talented players like Dimi exist within Suriname, few receive opportunities for international development.
Given proximity, cost considerations, cultural factors, and existing bilateral relations, Brazil presents an ideal destination for nurturing Surinamese football talent. Well-trained players could enhance the appeal of domestic leagues and potentially strengthen the national team. The author calls upon the Surinamese Football Association, Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish structured programs for youth player development abroad, extending opportunities to both players and coaches.
Following his Brazilian experience, Dimi has been selected for Suriname’s U-17 national team, which will compete in February 2026 qualifiers for the following year’s U-17 World Cup. Expectations are high that his international exposure will significantly enhance his performance at both club and national levels.