Atlético Santa Rita consider becoming Itapororoca FC and target the 2027 season
Atlético Santa Rita, who have secured promotion to the top tier of Paraíba football, are considering adopting the name Itapororoca FC for 2027 and entering youth competitions, after finishing second in the third division in 2023 and missing the second division in 2024.
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A vaga na elite do futebol paraibano está garantida, e o Atlético Santa Rita já pensa no que vem depois: a temporada 2027 pode marcar uma mudança de identidade.
Entre os planos da diretoria estão adotar o nome Itapororoca FC, entrar nas competições de base e fixar de vez a estrutura na cidade de Itapororoca, no Vale do Mamanguape.
A confirmação do acesso veio diante do Spartax. Antes de virar a chave, porém, o time ainda disputa a final da segunda divisão de 2026 contra o Cruzeiro-PB.
O presidente Danilo Rocha contou, em entrevista, que o clube quer se aproximar de Itapororoca e dar à região um representante no futebol profissional. Segundo ele, trocar de identidade é algo concreto, mas esbarra em processos judiciais ainda em fase final.
“Eu penso em permanecer aqui e fazer o trabalho de base aqui”, afirmou. “Nós já temos projeção para participar de todas as competições de base do ano que vem, todas as categorias, além do trabalho na primeira divisão.”
No profissional, a trajetória começou em 2023: com o nome Internacional-PB, o time foi vice-campeão da terceira divisão paraibana. Em 2024, questões judiciais impediram a participação na segunda divisão; o projeto ficou dois anos longe das competições oficiais e só voltou neste ano, na estreia da Segundona.
O dirigente também defendeu o enraizamento do clube na cidade: “Nada mais justo do que esse clube se enraizar na cidade de Itapororoca, criar sua própria estrutura aqui e representar o Vale do Mamanguape”.
Com o acesso confirmado, o Tigre avança no planejamento para 2027 — mas ainda tem a decisão da Segundona pelo caminho.
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