FedEx and UEFA Foundation invite Sport Dans Le Ville to put forward referee mascots at UEFA Champions League final in Paris

FedEx and UEFA Foundation invite Sport Dans Le Ville to put forward referee mascots at UEFA Champions League final in Paris

Once-in-a-lifetime experience for children from Sport Dans la Ville

Paris, 27 May 2022. -UEFA Champions League sponsor and express transportation company, FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), continues its tradition of collaborating with UEFA Foundation for Children to offer memorable experiences to children enrolled in sporting programmes of local non-profit organisations.

French organisation Sport dans la Ville (SDLV) has been invited to put forward three children, two boys and one girl aged 7-10, who will have the opportunity to accompany UEFA officials onto the field in front of more than 75,000 people at Stade de France in Paris this weekend.

“This is a great opportunity to be able to offer young people in our programs – it’s an experience unlike any other and one unlikely to ever come around again. For these children, this moment will help them feel visible as individuals alongside admired professional players and respected footballing officials. It’s a global stage for them, one that makes them feel appropriately equal, and a confidence-building memory they can take forward in their lives,” said Hélène Blondel, Director of partnerships at Sport Dans Le Ville.

The selected children will have the rare chance to watch the players from Liverpool and Real Madrid warm-up on the pitch and opportunity to savour the atmosphere of a live tournament in a football stadium that is local to them, but which the three chosen children have never been inside.

“The UEFA Foundation for Children is delighted that our collaboration continues as it began when FedEx became a sponsor of UEFA tournaments back in 2015. These apparently simple gestures, of donating opportunities to those who may not otherwise have them, has an immeasurable impact on the individuals themselves, and lends a platform for local charities, like SDLV, who are utilising football to support children’s rights and needs,” said Urs Kluser, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children.

“The donation of referee mascot places at the UEFA Champions League Final is only one initiative, but notably the most visible, in our social responsibility collaboration between FedEx and the UEFA Foundation for Children. Throughout our sponsorship cycle we will continue as we have always intended – to utilise our position as a sponsor of professional football to fund charitable organisations working to advance social issues, such as diversity and inclusion, that affect the opportunities and sense of optimism among young people,” said Wouter Roels, SVP Marketing International, FedEx Express Europe.

The donation of referee mascot places to local non-profit organisations will continue throughout FedEx three-year sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League, offering similar opportunities to children in Istanbul, Turkey and London, UK via football-focused charities when the time rolls around.

A three-year social responsibility grant from FedEx to the UEFA Foundation will shortly be announced. The co-developed programme, Championing the Future, will provide financial support to charities in host-countries of the UEFA Champions League Finals, promoting diversity and equality among children and empowering them to become champions of a more inclusive future.

The donation of referee mascot places at the UEFA Champions League Final is only one initiative, but notably the most visible, in our social responsibility collaboration between FedEx and the UEFA Foundation for Children. Throughout our sponsorship cycle we will continue as we have always intended – to utilise our position as a sponsor of professional football to fund charitable organisations working to advance social issues, such as diversity and inclusion, that affect the opportunities and sense of optimism among young people.

- Wouter Roels, SVP Marketing International, FedEx Express Europe

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(c) Sport dans la Ville

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About FedEx Corp.

Project partner

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of $92 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively, and innovating digitally under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its nearly 600,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040.

To learn more, please visit fedex.com/about.

About Sport dans la Ville

Project Partner

Founded in 1998, Sport dans la Ville is the main organisation in France promoting social and professional integration through sport. The organisation sets up and operates sports centres in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Its programmes help 8,500 young people find their place in society and enter the world of work.

Sport dans la Ville has created the following programmes to ensure every young person finds a route into employment:

  • L dans la Ville – a programme aimed at empowering and enhancing the employability of 2,000 young women.
  • Job dans la Ville – a programme that provides career guidance and employability training to 2,085 young people aged 15 and over.
  • Entrepreneurs dans la Ville – a start-up support programme that has led to the creation of 310 businesses since 2007.

https://www.sportdanslaville.com/

 

Mastercard player mascots take the centre stage at UEFA Champions League Final

Mastercard player mascots take the centre stage at UEFA Champions League Final

After two years of virtual activation, the Mastercard player mascots will join the Champions League finalists on the pitch in Paris

Paris, 27 May 2022: Mastercard’s player mascot initiative will return in-person for the UEFA Champions League Final at the Stade de France, Paris, on May 28.

Mastercard Player Mascots initiative provides 22 young football fans with Priceless access to the UEFA Champions League Final. The children will fulfil their dreams by running onto the pitch and will be joined by some of the world’s best football players – from finalists Liverpool and Real Madrid – before watching the pinnacle of club football live.

This year, Mastercard is partnering with the UEFA Foundation to select the mascots that will take part in this year’s final. The UEFA Foundation will in turn work with Libraries Without Borders – an international NGO that supports vulnerable people through education, culture, and information – to offer this opportunity to children from vulnerable communities and young refugees that have recently arrived in France.

“We are delighted that Mastercard Player Mascots will be returning as an in-person experience for UEFA Champions League Final in Paris,” said Jeanette Liendo, Senior Vice President Marketing and Communications at Mastercard Europe. “Since we first sponsored the competition in 1994, its popularity continues to grow and the Final is now one of the most prestigious events on the global sporting calendar. We cannot wait to provide our chosen mascots with the matchday experience of a lifetime and the chance to rub shoulders with some of the world’s best players.”

“It is a pride for the foundation to bring children to this prestigious final” said Urs Kluser, General Secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children. “It is a unique lifetime experience that we can offer to children from our partners which will have a big impact on their future”.

"Libraries Without Borders is very proud to contribute to this operation, and glad to have the possibility to allow girls and boys with difficult backgrounds to dream. This moment will remain forever engraved in the memory of the children." said Edouard Delbende, BSF’s Director of Development & Communications.

 

Libraries Without Borders is very proud to contribute to this operation, and glad to have the possibility to allow girls and boys with difficult backgrounds to dream. This moment will remain forever engraved in the memory of the children.

- Edouard Delbende, BSF’s Director of Development & Communications.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: During the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Leg One match between Liverpool and Villarreal at Anfield on April 27, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - MAY 03: UEFA Champions League Semi Final Leg Two match between Villarreal and Liverpool at Estadio de la Ceramica on May 03, 2022 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - MAY 03: UEFA Champions League Semi Final Leg Two match between Villarreal and Liverpool at Estadio de la Ceramica on May 03, 2022 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - MAY 03: UEFA Champions League Semi Final Leg Two match between Villarreal and Liverpool at Estadio de la Ceramica on May 03, 2022 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

About Mastercard

Project partner

Masctercard logo 2022

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

www.mastercard.com

About Bibliothèques Sans Frontières

Project Partner

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Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (Libraries Without Borders) is a NGO that strengthens the capacity of people in vulnerable situations by facilitating access to education, culture, and information. In more than 50 countries, we create innovative cultural and learning spaces that allow those affected by crisis or precarity to learn, to play, to build communities, and to construct their futures.

https://www.bibliosansfrontieres.org/

Seville children given a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Seville children given a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Hankook Tire gives back to Seville’s ‘local heroes’

After its first successful cooperation with the UEFA Foundation for Children at the UEFA Europa League final in Gdansk in 2021, Hankook Tire continues to bring smiles back to children’s faces. UEFA’s long-standing partner once again donated 50 tickets for the UEFA Europa League final and acquired the sole and exclusive rights for referee mascots. As the final was in Seville this year, the two partners decided to work with the Fundación Alalá to provide all participants with a unique and exciting final matchday.

“Thanks to the success of our cooperation with UEFA and Hankook Tire, we are bringing smiles to children’s face again,” said Urs Kluser, the Foundation for Children’s general secretary. “We will make sure we give them and their coaches an unforgettable experience.”

As part of its charity work, in the 2021/22 UEFA Europa League season, Hankook Tire launched the Local Heroes Challenge, a digital campaign for local football clubs throughout Europe, to promote grassroots football culture. On each Europa League tournament matchday, participant clubs have been able to win a full set of premium football kits. The campaign has also highlighted the work of the coaches who put so much of their time and effort into helping these children.

Since 2012 Hankook Tire has been an Official Partner of the UEFA Europa League and is very pleased not only to be continuing the successful partnership with the UEFA Foundation but also to be contributing once again to a great corporate social responsibility project through its involvement in this major event.

Hankook Tire surprised the children with a visit from the official UEFA Europa League final ambassador and former Spanish football goalkeeper Andrés Palop who took part in a football training session with the Alalá children and handed out the tickets for the UEFA Europa League final in Seville.

About Alalá – Fundación arte y cultura por la integración

Alalá supports social integration through education for youngsters at risk of social exclusion in Polígono Sur, a part of Seville known for its poor living conditions. Culture, art, and sport are used as a motivational tool. Children can take part in music and dance activities (drums, singing and theatre) to experience different cultures, or can join a football team that competes in a local league.

Thanks to the success of our cooperation with UEFA and Hankook Tire, we are bringing smiles to children’s face again. We will make sure we give them and their coaches an unforgettable experience.

- Urs Kluser, the Foundation for Children’s general secretary

SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 18: Youth Programme children Players and referee mascots and OMBC carrier. Ivan Rakitic and Andres Palop. BUEFA Europa League final match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 18, 2022 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 18: Engelbert Strauss Player Mascots are seen during the UEFA Europa League final match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 18, 2022 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 18: Players and Referee Mascots and OMBC Arrivala prior tothe UEFA Europa League final match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 18, 2022 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Hankook Tire

Project partner

Hankook Tire manufactures innovative and award-winning radial tyres of proven superior quality for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, RVs, trucks and buses as well as motorsports. Hankook Tire employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide and sells its products in over 180 countries. Hankook Tire has been represented in the renowned Dow Jones Sustainability Index World (DJSI World) since 2016. For more information, please visit http://www.hankooktire-mediacenter.com or www.hankooktire.com

 

Sustainable and inclusive football pitch inaugurated in Italy

Sustainable and inclusive football pitch inaugurated in Italy

First Lay's RePlay five-a-side pitch in the European Union inaugurated, in collaboration with the UEFA Foundation for Children and streetfootballworld

This new five-a-side football pitch is part of the Lay's RePlay project that brings joy to deserving communities around the world by playing sport more accessible, transforming empty packets into sustainable football pitches, with a net zero carbon footprint. This pitch was donated to Balon Mundial, an anti-discrimination association in Turin.

The inauguration at the Casa Del Quartiere was attended by Claudio Marchisio, in the role of UEFA Legend, who shared his viewpoint on the social importance of sport; Nadine Kessler, UEFA Chief of Women's Football and UEFA Foundation for Children ambassador, who highlighted how football can change a life and expand young people’s potential; and Lay’s brand ambassador, The Jackal, who took part in the field activities.

The freshly laid pitch was immediately put to good use the next day for the national Italian final of the Gatorade 5v5 tournament for amateur girls’ teams aged 14 to 16. The tournament highlighted women's football ahead of the UEFA Women’s Champions League between Olympique Lyonnais and Barcelona FC at the Juventus stadium.

Balon Mundial A.S.D. ONLUS is a non-profit sports association based in Turin that uses sport and football to create social impact and promote an open society free of discrimination. Known for organising the ‘World Cup of Migrant Communities’ in Turin, which involves 1,000 players every year, the association will oversee pitch maintenance and organise activities for the community.

This is the fourth pitch donated by Lay’s after South Africa, the UK and Brazil.

Inclusion in the world of sport is fundamental and it is a value in which I personally believe in a lot. I have been able to experience first-hand the impact that sport and football can have on everyone's life and thanks to the synergy between the UEFA Foundation and Lay's RePlay, we are having a positive impact on thousands of people who otherwise could not have a place where to play.

In my opinion, the importance of this project is therefore fundamental for young people both as a place to meet, play and share, and for talent and inclusiveness.

- Nadine Kessler, UEFA chief of womens' football

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Lay's unveils its latest RePlay pitch today in Turin ahead of the Women's UEFA Champions League final at the weekend
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About PepsiCo

Project partner

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than 1bn times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.

Guiding PepsiCo is its vision to ‘be the global leader in beverages and convenient foods by winning with PepsiCo positive’ (pep +). Pep + is the group’s strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability at the centre of how it creates value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

Clarence Seedorf joins the UEFA Foundation for Children board

Clarence Seedorf joins the UEFA Foundation for Children board

The football legend brings a global profile and more than 20 years' experience of working with charitable projects.

Seedorf, who remains the only player to have lifted the UEFA Champions League with three different clubs, has dedicated himself to social projects both during and after his playing career, using the power of sport to inspire positive change.

"We are delighted Clarence is joining the UEFA Foundation for Children family," said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, who is also chairman of the UEFA Foundation for Children.

"Not only does he carry an inspirational story as one of the most successful footballers of his generation, he has continually used his experiences to help make the world a better place for others. Having Clarence on our team will be a huge benefit to the Foundation as we work together to improve the lives of disadvantaged children all over the world."

Giving back to communities

Seedorf, who speaks six languages and represented the Netherlands 87 times, added: "It's an honour and a pleasure to join the UEFA Foundation for Children. I have followed its activities closely and am very happy to join in support of its work.

"I have spoken with President Čeferin for some time and appreciate that he has embraced the idea of me joining the team. I hope we can enjoy this relationship for a long time, do some great things and give back to communities around the world."

Clarence, welcome to the UEFA Foundation for Children. How do you see your role on the board of trustees developing?

"I think joining the Foundation is a nice evolution of my relationship with UEFA which has been in place for some time, and together we understand the importance that football has in society and in the lives of kids.

"I’ve been involved in foundations for over 25 years, and that has given me great insight into what it takes to make an impact and create projects that make a difference.

"But first, I want to understand much better and learn from where the Foundation stands now and how I can bring my knowledge and experience on board in order to achieve the goals of the Foundation, and eventually, improve upon what is there now and bring added value as a team member. I really look forward to this and I am very proud of this appointment."

 

How important is it that players and sportspeople use their influence as a force for good?

"Well, many players actually are involved in charitable organisations, either their own or lending their name to other institutions or organisations.

"It's something very personal and some are more involved than others, some are visionary in what they do and involved in decision-making processes where others prefer to be more behind the scenes or low-key.

"Nobody has an obligation to run in front, but I think we all have an obligation to add value to all those who have given us so much over the years.

"I’ve always seen a lot of goodwill from players to participate in good causes and I’m just happy to continue my part in that without comparing or having expectations of others. I believe we should start with ourselves and try to put as much in as we can."

 

Who have been your own inspirations and role models through the course of your life?

"The first people are my parents, of course. They’ve always been very positive role models in my life. I would also say some of the teachers I had from school and in my football youth.

"Nelson Mandela, particularly, has always played and still plays a very central role in the core of my mission - enduring situations and starting a path for us to follow and to keep on pushing for those who are less privileged and for a more peaceful world.

"My belief is that peace comes through education, and education has to have, as a backbone, sports, especially in the early stages of life. These are the key elements I believe will change the world. And we have the capacity and the means to, as a team, make that difference.

"Having role models in life – and this is where we go back a little bit to players – I think that the role that players have today, even more than 20 years ago, is to be a positive role model and to be aware that kids are looking up to you and follow your actions and behaviours.

"Those role models have always continued to keep me on the right path – that spiritual path, actually, of giving and adding value where we can."

 

Mandela talked about the power of sport to inspire change in the world. How important can it be as a social tool?

"He was able to change the face of a whole country and the understanding of unity through sport. So, it’s just a very, very strong, efficient and effective tool when it’s used properly.

"That’s what I believe we should be aiming for: to create and embrace very strong and sustainable projects that use sport as a fundamental tool to improve the overall development and lives of young kids.

"Playing sport between the ages of five and 12 is scientifically proven to help with cognitive and creative development in kids – it should be a right for every child to have."

ATHENS, GREECE - MAY 23: Clarence Seedorf of Milan runs with the trophy in celebration following his teams 2-1 victory during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Liverpool and AC Milan at the Olympic Stadium on May 23, 2007 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Sandra Behne/Bongarts/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - JUNE 12: UEFA Global Ambassador for Diversity and Change Clarence Seedorf attends the Fare 2015 Barcelona Conference at Camp Nou on June 12, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Clarence Seedorf
UEFA Champions League Semi Final - Barcelona v AC Milan (2)
Sport, Football, UEFA Champions League Final, Athens, 23rd May 2007, AC Milan 2 v Liverpool 1, AC Milan's Clarence Seedorf celebrates with the trophy (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

Clarence Seedorf joins UEFA Foundation for Children board

Clarence Seedorf joins UEFA Foundation for Children board

2022 awards reallocated to support Ukrainian children

Ahead of the UEFA Europa League final on 18 May, the UEFA Foundation for Children Board of Trustees met in Seville on the premises of Fundación Grandes Valores, an NGO supported by the foundation since January 2022.

Chaired by Aleksander Čeferin, this first session of the year opened with the election of a new board member, the most decorated Dutch player of all time, Clarence Seedorf, who has won domestic and continental titles while playing for clubs in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Brazil. Clarence has been heavily involved in several social development projects over the past 20 years.

“It is a great honour for me to take a seat on the UEFA Foundation for Children Board of Trustees,” said Clarence Seedorf, four-time UEFA Champions League winner. “I look forward to being involved in decisions that make such a positive impact on the lives our future generation using sport and football.”

Meanwhile, Elkhan Mammadov, the general secretary of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan, has decided to step down from his role as trustee. The board took the opportunity to thank him for his excellent work and support over the past five years.

 

2022 UEFA Foundation for Children awards

Due to the crisis in Ukraine, on 28 February, the Board of Trustees decided to allocate the 2022 UEFA Foundation for Children award funding to support for Ukrainian children displaced to neighbouring countries and internally. Initial assistance for Ukrainian children’s hospitals had been forwarded through the Moldovan Football Association on 2 March. The award money – €1 million – is currently being channelled to the neighbouring countries via the UEFA member associations in Moldova, Poland Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine. In other years, these awards are a recognition for European children’s charities recommended by UEFA member associations.

 

2022 call for projects

Applicants for this year’s awards will be able to submit their projects between 27 June and 31 July. The criteria will be announced in due course and the selected projects will be unveiled at the next Board of Trustees meeting on 16 November.

The meeting ended with a presentation and a guided tour of the Grandes Valores project, a football programme for migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers and children from vulnerable communities that aims to improve these youngsters’ physical and mental well-being, reduce inequalities and break down prejudice towards them.

It is a great honour for me to take a seat on the UEFA Foundation for Children Board of Trustees. I look forward to being involved in decisions that make such a positive impact on the lives our future generation using sport and football.

- Clarence Seedorf, board member of UEFA Founation for Children

Sevilla, Spain - MAY 18th: President and UEFA visit at the IES Albert Einstein Secondary School before the Europa League final 2022 on May 18 2022, in Sevilla, Spain. (Photo by Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Sevilla, Spain - MAY 18th: President and UEFA visit at the IES Albert Einstein Secondary School before the Europa League final 2022 on May 18 2022, in Sevilla, Spain. (Photo by Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Sevilla, Spain - MAY 18th: President and UEFA visit at the IES Albert Einstein Secondary School before the Europa League final 2022 on May 18 2022, in Sevilla, Spain. (Photo by Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Sevilla, Spain - MAY 18th: President and UEFA visit at the IES Albert Einstein Secondary School before the Europa League final 2022 on May 18 2022, in Sevilla, Spain. (Photo by Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

UEFA Europa League player mascots dressed by Engelbert Strauss

UEFA Europa League player mascots dressed by Engelbert Strauss

Kits made in the new Engelbert Strauss factory in Bangladesh

For the 2021/22 football season, Strauss became the official sponsor of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League. Europe’s leading workwear brand is preparing to unveil the new player mascot kits at the UEFA Europa League final in Seville on 18 May.

Engelbert Strauss donated the 22 player mascot kits to German and Spanish children from Fundación Grande Valores to celebrate European diversity. Support from UEFA competition partners makes a big difference to the foundation’s work and includes exclusive events and opportunities.

“We’re delighted that Strauss is partnering with us to support the work of the UEFA Foundation for Children,“ says UEFA Foundation general secretary Urs Kluser. “We’re using the magic of football to bring hope to children all around the world.”

Guided by the same belief that nothing sustains more than education, the company is strongly committed to helping children and teenagers.

“Football brings joy and unites people, says Strauss CEO and brand director Henning Strauss. “And football kicks off positive change worldwide. We’re highlighting this with the UEFA Foundation for Children logo on our new finals kit – turning the strip into a statement.”

There are plans for more joint initiatives between the foundation and Strauss in the future, with a particular focus on Bangladesh, where the workwear company’s new  CI factory is located and where Strauss supports local communities as it has done in manufacturing countries outside Germany for several years.

New production technology

As official sponsor of the UEFA Europa League, Strauss will equip the player mascots with football kits created using cutting-edge clothing technology. One of the most ambitious aspects of the kit is its use of ‘energy waves’, the Europa League‘s iconic graphic motif. Thanks to brand new techniques pioneered in Bangladesh, these will be printed across seams without breaks, by welding and taping invisible seams, creating digital prototypes for 3D printing and composing new textile materials.

Football brings joy and unites people, and football kicks off positive change worldwide. We’re highlighting this with the UEFA Foundation for Children logo on our new finals kit – turning the strip into a statement.”

- Henning Strauss, Strauss CEO and brand director

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For all pictures (c)Engelbert Strauss

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About Engelbert Strauss

Project partner

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Engelbert Strauss is Europe's leading work and utility brand. Headquartered 50 km north-west of Frankfurt/Main the company employs around 1600 people and manufactures in 26 countries worldwide. Strauss has been a leader in customizing and branding for decades and is one of the top online retailers in Germany. Strauss has already caused a sensation with extraordinary partnerships in sports and entertainment – including collaborations with global stars such as the rock band Metallica and the Hollywood Stuntmen’s Association. The company’s strategic direction in sports sponsorship focuses on the premium sector: Strauss is official sponsor of the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Conference League and official partner of the German national football team. The iconic Strauss ostrich also supports the esports player foundation as a kit supplier and promoter of young talent.

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UEFA Foundation for Children to Partner with ORIGYN Foundation on ‘NFTs for Good’

UEFA Foundation for Children to Partner with ORIGYN Foundation on ‘NFTs for Good’

Swiss non-profit to provide access to unique pairings of collectibles and NFTs of historic football memorabilia

The UEFA Foundation for Children has partnered with the Swiss non-profit ORIGYN Foundation to mint and sell NFTs created from a collection of historic football memorabilia. Proceeds from the sale of the physical objects and their corresponding NFTs will directly benefit UEFA Foundation for Children’s mission to support children’s rights through funding for health, education and integration projects.

As part of ORIGYN’s ‘NFTs for Good’ initiative, the UEFA Foundation for Children will offer football fans the world over the opportunity to purchase items from a limited collection of physical collectibles. A digital Twin' NFT will be created for each of the one-of-a-kind memorabilia items, which include one of the toss coins that helped determine the outcome of the UEFA EURO 2020 final between England and Italy.

This series of unique sports collectibles donated by the UEFA Foundation for Children, together with the Digital Twin NFTs, will appear exclusively on the ORIGYN-powered NFT marketplace, Impossible Things.

We are thrilled to partner with ORIGYN to bring these important items to the world stage for the benefit of The UEFA Foundation for Children,” said Urs Kluser, the general secretary for the UEFA Foundation for Children. “We share a vision of leveraging next-generation technology such as NFTs to raise money for children and communities around the world. There is no better collective mission.”

About the ORIGYN Foundation:

Project partner

The Swiss non-profit foundation ORIGYN uses intelligent technologies, including computer vision and artificial intelligence, on decentralized computing to identify, authenticate and unlock the powers of ownership for objects of value. As the first digital certification platform built on the Internet Computer (IC), ORIGYN and its verticals generate new forms of value for some of the largest consumer asset classes in the world, including art, collectibles, digital media and luxury goods. Founded in Neuchâtel, Switzerland in October of 2020, ORIGYN operates globally in major technology and blockchain hubs around the world. Its utility token, OGY, is set to become publicly tradable in the second quarter of 2022.

ORIGYN Foundation: Website Twitter Telegram LinkedIn Facebook Medium Instagram

For more information about Impossible Things, see here.

UEFA Foundation for Children awards €1 million to assist Ukrainian children

UEFA Foundation for Children awards €1 million to assist Ukrainian children

The UEFA Foundation also provides emergency fund of €100,000 to assist children and refugees in Moldova.

The members of the board of trustees of the UEFA Foundation for Children and its chairman, Aleksander Čeferin, have today allocated the 2022 UEFA Foundation Award of €1 million to help children in Ukraine as well as child refugees in neighbouring countries.

These funds will finance initiatives from UEFA member associations and charities focusing on children’s rights and their well-being, with the exact needs currently being evaluated in close cooperation with the member associations and local partners. The UEFA Foundation for Children furthermore decided to allocate an immediate emergency aid fund of €100,000 to assist Ukrainian children and refugees.

The emergency aid fund will be provided to the Football Association of Moldova, which is already working with local humanitarian organisations to assist Ukrainian refugee children arriving in the country. Part of these provisions will also be used to provide medicines and supplies to children’s hospitals in Ukraine.

Commenting on the decisions, the UEFA President and Chairman of the UEFA Foundation for Children Aleksander Čeferin said:

"Children are very vulnerable during conflicts and it is our duty to help defend their fundamental rights and their health. Thanks to the solidarity of European football and the support of our partners, we will be able to provide some of the assistance that children urgently need in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries”.

The President of the Football Association of Moldova Leonid Oleinicenco added:

"We are going through unprecedented times, with thousands of Ukrainian families seeking shelter in our country. This concrete support from European football and the UEFA Foundation for Children will help us to rapidly meet the basic needs of families and their children via local humanitarian organisations."

The UEFA Foundation for Children aims to help children and defend their rights, for example through sport and football. It provides support in the areas of health, education, access to sport, personal development, integration of minorities and employability.

The Foundation, a public utility body under Swiss law, was created and started its activities on April 24, 2015. The foundation currently invests in 180 projects and has so far funded more than 400 projects in 130 countries worldwide. More than 1.8 million children have already benefited from the foundation's work since its creation.

(c)Aurelia Ciobanu
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(c)Aurelia Ciobanu

Every child is a champion – the sole reason to read the 2020/21 UEFA Foundation for Children Activity Report

Every child is a champion – the sole reason to read the 2020/21 UEFA Foundation for Children Activity Report

The 2020/21 UEFA Foundation for Children Activity report shows the power of football to change lives despite the adversity brought about by the ongoing pandemic. The report highlights stories from children around the world who have benefitted from an array of UEFA Foundation projects.

The COVID-19 pandemic that brought the 2019/20 season to a halt continued to overshadow us in 2020/21. The repercussions reverberated through all our communities and impacted everyone in football.

Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president:

"The world of football has rallied more than ever in support of the communities in which it is rooted. The commitment shown by national associations, clubs at all levels of the game, players and commercial partners, individually and collectively, has never been so great.

"The activities conducted or supported by the UEFA Foundation for Children all demonstrate the human and sociocultural dimension of our beautiful game. They highlight football's most positive values, namely respect and social cohesion."

Every child has a voice

To give more young people a voice, the UEFA Foundation regularly asked children involved in its projects to share stories about their day-to-day lives, their interests and their dreams. Their stories provide the most compelling evidence yet of the importance of football and the impact these projects have on the daily lives of many thousands of children.

 

UEFA Foundation for Children projects

Projects financed by the UEFA Foundation are underpinned by the need to protect children from all forms of discrimination. The projects tackle issues and focal points that also help to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a call to action for all countries working in a global partnership to reduce inequalities in the world. All the UEFA Foundation projects focus on areas including gender equality, personal development, protection of victim of conflicts, access to employment, infrastructure, medical care and the environment.

During 2020/ 21 there were 62 UEFA Foundation for Children projects ongoing in Europe and 59 projects outside of Europe. The number of beneficiaries since the Foundation started in 2015 has reached a staggering 1.8 million.

 

Ivan Rakitić and Eugénie Le Sommer take ambassadorial roles

In keeping with its strategy of partnering with popular public figures in the world of football, the UEFA Foundation for Children board appointed Ivan Rakitić and Eugénie Le Sommer as their first official ambassadors. Both players have exemplary European football playing careers and are actively committed to various social causes.

Ivan Rakitić, Sevilla FC midfielder

"I’m really happy about it – the fact I am a father of two girls means that I know and understand how important it is to see that smile on children's faces."

Having come on board in February 2021, Rakitić attended a videoconference with female coaches to mark International Women's Day on 8 March, and he personally greeted the player mascots and ball kids at the EURO 2020 match between Portugal and Belgium in Seville.

Eugénie Le Sommer, Olympique Lyonnais forward

"I want to share the pleasure of playing and my passion for football by helping those who need it in any way possible. Sometimes, the smallest details can change lives."

 

UEFA competitions

The UEFA Foundation for Children amplified their reach by running activations at UEFA's major competitions.

 

Making memories at the UEFA Champions League

In the midst of the pandemic, the final stages of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League, from the quarterfinals onwards, were held in the form of a mini-tournament in Portugal from 19 to 23 August. To continue making dreams come true for children suffering from serious illnesses, Mastercard, a UEFA Champions League partner, and the UEFA Foundation for Children gave youngsters the opportunity of a lifetime to meet some of the players virtually.

Ruby and Annika were invited behind the scenes at the match between RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain and welcomed the players as they arrived at the stadium. Ten-year-old Ruby, a football fanatic from the northeast of England, was undergoing chemotherapy at the time, while 11-year-old Annika was receiving treatment at a cancer clinic in Frankfurt.

Ten-year-old Ruby, a football fanatic from the northeast of England

"Wow! I will remember this day for the rest of my life! Thank you! After the doctor only recently told me that I might not play football ever again, this lifted my spirits so much! I will never forget this day."

 

Children’s art adorns match ball at the UEFA Super Cup in Budapest

Although children were unable to set foot on the pitch at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on 24 September 2020, 18 children participating in Foundation projects took centre stage on matchday, with their drawings featured in the design of the official match ball. Their designs were selected from over 200 entries by the UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin.

 

A dream came true for Iranian refugee, Hanya

The UEFA Super Cup was also an opportunity to make Hanya's dream come true. Originally from Iran, the 20-year-old amateur footballer had never set foot inside a stadium before, because she was a woman. The UEFA Foundation for Children and its partner organisation in Budapest, Oltalom, secured her a ticket for the match.

Hanya, 20 year old Iranian refugee

"It showed me that you don’t have to be a man to enjoy a football match. I really hope that women in Iran and Iraq can watch and play football more freely; right now, they need to be hidden when they play – they cannot even play in a public place, which is very sad."

 

UEFA EURO 2020: Hope and joy

Things may not have gone as initially planned because of the pandemic, but the UEFA Foundation for Children still shared the thrill of the EURO with youngsters across the continent.

Thanks to the Abidal Foundation, the host cities and tournament Just Eat Takeaway.com, 1,820 children saw their dreams come true as they were given a unique experience inside the stadiums during EURO 2020.

In cooperation with the Abidal Foundation and Awabot, we supplied the stadiums in Budapest, Munich and Seville with a remote-controlled robot connected to a console. Young football fans in hospital with long-term illnesses or in convalescence homes were able to control the robot from where they were staying to experience the pre-match atmosphere and interact with their favourite players.

EURO 2020 helped the Foundation draw attention to areas such as social cohesion, integration of minorities and people with disabilities, and solidarity. This uniquely pan-European event enabled many foundation partners to promote their activities and involve their beneficiaries in a collective celebration of football.

 

Sponsors

A range of sponsors helped the UEFA Foundation deliver lasting memories for children across the world.

For two consecutive seasons, Visa, donated €50,000 to the UEFA Foundation for Children on behalf of the player of the match at the UEFA Women's Champions League final.

UEFA Champions League partner Gazprom sponsored a football pitch for the benefit of 1,000 children. The pitch was built at the Bora Radić primary school in Bavanište, a village about 40km east of Belgrade.

Lay's, a UEFA Champions League sponsor, has launched a global initiative, Lay's RePlay, which aims to bring joy to communities around the world through the power of football by reusing empty crisp packets to help create sustainable football pitches. In doing so, it hopes to unite communities and drive positive outcomes for people and the planet.

Kia, a UEFA Europa League sponsor, has renewed its support for children in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. In three seasons, the Kia-backed campaign has donated 3,000 pairs of football boots to children in the camp

In spring 2020 and 2021, H&M launched an initiative aimed at encouraging children to stay active by promoting access to sport for all. To support young players around the world and keep them active, H&M donated to the UEFA Foundation for Children some of the proceeds from the sale of a special football shirt collection for children over two, two-week periods. Their donation helped finance emergency action linked to COVID-19, such as the distribution of food and other essentials, health products and medical aid by 13 of our other partners.

For the second consecutive year, adidas agreed to donate 700 packs containing balls and all the other equipment needed to organise a training session, to support UEFA Foundation for Children projects all over the world.

FedEx supported EURO 2020 by transporting materials between the stadiums and our partners in the host cities, local football clubs, schools and children's charities. In total, almost 15 tonnes of materials were reused.

UEFA Foundation for Children 2020/21 Activity Report

To read the report in full and watch videos showcasing the UEFA Foundation for Children's projects, click here.

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UEFA Foundation and Lay’s team up to open new Brazilian pitch

UEFA Foundation and Lay’s team up to open new Brazilian pitch

Lay’s launch their 3rd community pitch in Sao Paulo created by reusing empty crisps packets that will benefit thousands of local people.

A community in Brazil has a brand-new football facility to enjoy thanks to the on-going collaboration between the UEFA Foundation for Children, UEFA Champions League partner Lay’s and the streetfootballworld network.

The new pitch was constructed by reusing empty crisp packets and is the third opened this year by the Lay’s RePlay program following the UK and South Africa, with more to come in 2022.

AC Milan and Brazil legend Cafu was at the opening of the Sao Paulo pitch this week, showing his skills alongside local children.

Cafu, former Brazil international and Lay’s RePlay ambassador:

"I had to fight hard on and off the field to be recognised around the world as a talented player. Football taught me how to celebrate victories, but it also gave me the strength to face life's obstacles. Sport is undoubtedly a way to promote social change, hence the relevance of projects like this led by Lay’s. It is this spirit that I want to convey to the young people who will participate in the activities, and I am proud to kick off this initiative."

Urs Kluser, General Secretary UEFA Foundation for Children

“Football is loved the world over and nowhere more so than in Brazil. Using the game’s popularity and this fantastic Lay’s RePlay initiative, we can offer young people in Sao Paulo the opportunity to learn vital lessons that will help them for the rest of their lives.”

How do you make a football pitch from crisp packets? 

In addition to promoting a positive impact on communities, Lay’s RePlay football pitches also minimise environmental impact. From the materials making the pitch to installation, the pitches are designed to be as environmentally sustainable as possible. Empty packets are collected from local waste by using recycling partnerships to give them a second life. The packs are washed, shredded and converted into pellets that form the underlying layer beneath the turf, called Ecocept™. Both the turf and Ecocept™ layer are 100% recyclable at the end of their life span.

Promoting positive change through sport

The Lay’s RePlay initiative was created in conjunction with the UEFA Foundation and streetfootballworld as an evolution from the pitches developed in the Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps in Jordan, which have provided access to sport for 35,000 people.

The programme promotes long-term positive social change through sport and education, using the power of football to promote social inclusion and teach essential life skills such as teamwork and fair play.

Through local partnerships in Brazil with love.fútbol and the EPROCAD Foundation, more than 100 young people will benefit directly from the initiative over the next 12 months, with more than 16,000 community members able to access the new pitch.

Suelen Cristina Souza, 15, EPROCAD Foundation student:

"What I like most about football is to play as a striker. To score a goal is a unique feeling for me! I feel that, here at the EPROCAD Foundation, inclusion is fundamental to the programme. To have girls and boys playing together has an impact on the lives and vision of the participants."

Wagner Mendes Dias, EPROCAD teacher and former student:

"I have no doubt that this field will generate a very important impact on the lives of our students because besides being beautiful, it is a space of impressive quality and structure.  The neighborhood residents and our students don't usually have access to a quality sports infrastructure like this. I am looking forward to the inauguration of this field, to teaching my classes there, and also being able to play together with the students and residents of the community as well."

 

I had to fight hard on and off the field to be recognised around the world as a talented player. Football taught me how to celebrate victories, but it also gave me the strength to face life's obstacles. Sport is undoubtedly a way to promote social change, hence the relevance of projects like this led by Lay’s. It is this spirit that I want to convey to the young people who will participate in the activities, and I am proud to kick off this initiative."

- Cafu, former Brazil international and Lay’s RePlay ambassador

Lay'sReplay pitch Sao Paolo
Lay's Replay pitch Sao Paolo
Lay's Replay pitch Sao Paolo
Lay's Replay pitch Sao Paolo

About PepsiCO

Project partner

Lay's Replay

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $70 billion in net revenue in 2020, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker, Tropicana and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. "Winning with Purpose" reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of our business strategy and brands. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

Foundation supports 67 humanitarian projects worldwide

Foundation supports 67 humanitarian projects worldwide

These new football projects will give even more children in need the promise of a better life.

Tuesday 30 November: The board of trustees, chaired by UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, met to review recent projects and their impact and discuss the institution’s future. This session was attended by a special guest, the FC Seville striker Ivan Rakitić who is a UEFA Foundation for Children ambassador.

Ivan Rakitić said:

It has been an honour to be invited to participate to the UEFA Foundation board meeting, to meet its members, and to have the opportunity to be involved in discussions that will certainly change the life of many children around the world”.

The past year saw the complete resumption of football activities in the communities the foundation supports. By listening to our partners, we were able to adapt our assistance to the most pressing needs. Last season, 30 stadiums were built or renovated, 424 lots of equipment and 2,920 balls were donated to the host cities by the foundation along with 17 tonnes of material from UEFA EURO 2020 and other UEFA competitions for reuse by local football clubs and children’s charities.

One of the most anticipated agenda items was the selection of new projects following the call for submissions sent out during the summer. A total of 1,227 entries were eligible for shortlisting.

After careful review, 67 projects were chosen to share the total budget of €5,099,391, half of which was allocated to European projects and the remainder to other continents.

This year, it was decided to give special assistance to two projects supporting education in Afghanistan and to the NGOs helping the children stranded between Belarus and Poland.

The last few months have been difficult, and we have often had to respond to emergencies,” said Aleksander Čeferin. “Our foundation has more than ever an important social role to play by strengthening its support for the most vulnerable ones around the world. It enables European football to assume its social responsibilities and to lead by example in this area.”

List of projects approved by the board of trustees:

  • Europe: 30 projects
  • Africa: 13 projects
  • Americas: 11 projects
  • Asia: 11 projects
  • Oceania: 1 project
  • Partnership with Lay’s: 1 infrastructure project

 

 

UEFA Foundation for Children Board Meeting (30th November 2021) (3)
UEFA Foundation for Children Board Meeting (30th November 2021) (10)

Emergency aid to refugees at the Belarusian-Polish border

Emergency aid to refugees at the Belarusian-Polish border

UEFA Foundation for Children will support NGO's providing help to these refugees

The situation on the Belarus-Polish border is a humanitarian disaster. These desperate people have lost everything and are being held hostage for reasons beyond their control. These people are being instrumentalised, mere political pawns, but they nevertheless and above all remain men, women and children. Some of them have already died in almost complete indifference, and the others are still in immense distress and struggling to survive.

For this reason, the UEFA Foundation for Children has decided to assist the NGOs working at the border to provide urgent relief aid to these refugees. We at UEFA and at UEFA Foundation for Children do our best to avoid politics, but it is our duty to help children, no matter where they are from, just as the UEFA Foundation does with other underaged refugees, such as in the Zaatari camp on the Jordanian-Syrian border or in Turkey and Greece for example.

 

This Polish interior ministry screengrab shows children behind the razor-wire fence

 

 

 

 

Sport dans la Ville lays the foundation for its summer camp and training centre in southern France

Sport dans la Ville lays the foundation for its summer camp and training centre in southern France

One in every four children never has a summer holiday. In 2020, the health crisis highlighted the difficulties encountered by youngsters living in at-risk neighbourhoods. If they never go away for a holiday, they are deprived of the opportunity to recharge their batteries, discover something new, commune with nature, meet new people and change their perspectives on life. These moments can give them the joie de vivre they need for proper personal and educational development. This was the impetus behind the Sport dans la Ville plan to build a summer camp and training centre to host 7,000 children in Le Poët Laval (Drôme). In November, the UEFA Foundation for Children decided to provide funding for some of the association’s projects.

Accompanied by its project partners, Sport dans la Ville laid the first symbolic stone for the centre this summer. Under a 30-year agreement with the site’s owners, Sport dans la Ville has undertaken to completely renovate the location, ready to open its doors to its young guests in June 2022.

“It was such a pleasure to start laying the foundations of our new summer camp and training centre. It will be a place where thousands of youngsters will be able to enjoy life, find fulfilment and feel transformed,” said Philippe Oddou, the co-founder and general director of Sport dans la Ville.

During the ceremony, the Sport dans la Ville youngsters planted an olive tree in the 27-hectare park. “It’s crazy to think we’re going to come to his incredible place for our holidays,” said Idriss, a young association member.

This exceptional centre will enable the young visitors to discover nature and learn about healthy eating thanks to the permaculture garden, while receiving guidance for their future training and careers in the hospitality industry.

A study is currently under way into various activities to encourage young people to adopt better eating, exercise and environmental habits.

Sport dans la Ville

Established in 1998, Sport dans la Ville is France’s leading non-profit association promoting professional integration through sport.

It sets up and supervises sports facilities and runs social and occupational integration programmes for 7,000 young people living in at-risk neighbourhoods.

Its programmes include:

  • L dans la Ville, which promotes the emancipation and occupational integration of 1,770 teenage girls.
  • Job dans la Ville, which helps 1,640 young people aged 15 and over to enter professional life. Entrepreneurs dans la Ville, which has supported 245 start-ups since 2007.

Lay’s RePlay opens Leicester football pitch from upcycled crisp packets

Walkers RePlay opens Leicester football pitch from upcycled crisp packets

In partnership with the UEFA Foundation for Children and NGO streetfootballworld, PepsiCo, a long-standing UEFA Champions League partner, has launched this global initiative to transform empty crisp bags into sustainable football pitches

Football fans in Leicester now have access to a brand-new five-aside football pitch, which has been constructed from upcycled crisp packets. The facility, which is located at New Parks Community Hub in the city, is part of the Lay’s RePlay global project and will provide a hub for local football players driving positive change by offering educational sports programmes, mental health workshops, employability interventions and football fitness sessions.  

The pitch in Leicester follows on from the inaugural facility, which was constructed in Tembisa, near Johannesburg, in June with local footballing legend Lucas Radebe. Further pitches in Russia, Turkey and Brazil will be constructed in due course.  

 “We know a passion for football can last a lifetime and thanks to the Lay’s RePlay initiative we’ll be able to preserve the magic of football and give hope to those in the Leicester community who need it most. Together we have created a hub to inspire young people and teach them the values of respect, discipline and teamwork,” said the General Secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children, Urs Kluser. 

Each playing surface is created with a shock-absorbing layer called Ecocept™, which is formed when reclaimed crisp packs are converted into rubberized pellets. (For South Africa, more than three million chip packages were used to create the pitch.) Both the turf and the Ecocept™ layer are 100% recyclable, with each pitch producing up to 128 tons fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a standard synthetic pitch.  

Our initiative places a strong emphasis on including community members and local organizations throughout the planning, construction, and maintenance phases of each pitch, with the goal to develop programming that can address social issues impacting each community. While fostering safe access to the sport, the pitches are designed to be as environmentally sustainable as possible”, said Luca Pogliaghi, PepsiCo Global Sports Marketing Sr Manager.  

 Lay’s RePlay also builds on PepsiCo’s longstanding partnership with the UEFA Champions League. The initiative grew out of a 2017 collaboration between Lay’s and the UEFA Foundation for Children that created three pitches in Jordan’s Za’atari and Azraq Refugee Camps, giving 35,000 people access to football. 

Hero Image (UEFA.com & Release)
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Gary Lineker – Lay's RePlay ambassador, English former professional footballer and current sports broadcaste

25th anniversary of Youth Sports Games

25th anniversary of Youth Sports Games

Europe's largest amateur junior sports tournament in the spotlight

Aleksander Čeferin, Luis Figo, Darijo Srna, Johannes Hahn, Boban, Mijatović, Malouda, Maxwell Andrade, Hierro and Davor Božinović attended the quarter-century jubilee celebration of the Youth Sports Games.

Held in Split on 20 August, the commemoration kicked off with a ceremony at the Croatian Home, in the presence of long-time partners, friends and ambassadors of the event.

Special awards for long-term support and cooperation were given to Zoran Mamić, the supervisory board president of Tommy d.o.o.; Zoran Bogdanović, the chief executive officer of Coca-Cola HBC; Predrag Mijatović, the ambassador of the Youth Sports Games; Johannes Hahn, the European budget and administration commissioner, for Ambassador of the Year 2020; and Aleksander Čeferin, the UEFA president, for Ambassador of the Year 2021.

“Sport connects, sport is love, sport is unique, sport earns the respect of all people, so a deep tribute to everything that the Youth Sports Games do. As long as I am the president of UEFA and the UEFA Foundation for Children, I will fully support the work of the games to the best of my ability,” said Aleksander Čeferin in his acceptance speech.

The guests were greeted by Ivica Puljak, the mayor of Split, and Davor Božinović, the vice-president of the Croatian government and minister of the interior. The ministry has been conducting a large educational campaign to prevent violence on sports fields in cooperation with the Youth Sports Games.

“The Youth Sports Games have given a new dimension to sports in Croatia. In these challenging times, it is important to occupy children and help them put aside their mobile phones and computers so that they embrace healthy lifestyles,” said Davor Božinović.

In his emotional speech, Zdravko Marić, the president of the Youth Sports Games, thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the event, saying: “We have been promoting tolerance, friendship, solidarity and fair play for a quarter of a century, and we hope that over these 25 years we have managed to pass these values on to many generations of young people in Croatia and the region.”

Zlatko Dalić, the head coach of the national team, Stipe Pletikosa, the former goalkeeper, and Marijan Kustić, the president of the Croatian Football Federation, also attended the ceremony.

The Youth Sports Games are involved in the Youth Sports Fair Chance project, which was also presented at the ceremony. The project fights against violence, racism, discrimination and intolerance in sport, with a total budget of €365,525, co-financed by the EU Erasmus+ programme.

After the official ceremony, the guests hurried to change into their football kits for a friendly match in Republic Square-Prokurative in Split’s oldest neighbourhood.

Football, a common passion

Young footballers from Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina who had taken part in the Youth Sports Games finals played against a team led by UEFA representatives: Aleksander Čeferin, Zvonimir Boban, Luis Figo, Florent Malouda, Maxwell Scherrer, along with the former Real Madrid player Fernando Hierro, the former Croatian national team players Darijo Srna and Mario Stanić, and others.

Tihomir Gudić, the executive director of the Youth Sports Games, and celebrated footballers Igor Tudor and Igor Angelovski coached the young athletes, while the star team was managed by Zdravko Marić, the president of Youth Sports Games, Martina Dalić, Podravka CEO and Davor Božinović, the Croatian vice-president.

Fulfilling the dream of playing with their idols was the biggest reward for the excited youngsters, who greatly impressed the stars. Justice on the pitch was overseen by Robert Rosetti, UEFA’s chief refereeing officer. The great atmosphere was heated up by the victory of the young athletes against the star team. The match was broadcast live for the citizens of Split and guests of the city in the fan zone on the Riva waterfront, along with an additional programme.

 

The closing ceremony was held on the Riva, where Aleksander Čeferin, Predrag Mijatović and Johannes Hahn presented awards to young Youth Sports Games ambassadors from Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The young athletes and guests were greeted by Ivica Puljak, the mayor of Split, Tomislav Družak, the state secretary of the ministry of tourism and sport and envoy Nikola Brnjac, the minister of tourism and sports, Zdravko Marić, and deputy prime minister Davor Božinović, who closed the 25th season of the games. Before the celebration cake, congratulations were sent via video link by many athletes, including Luka Modrić, Goran Ivanišević, Slaven Bilić, Edin Džeko and Dragan Stojković Piksi.

The beautiful night in Split ended with a big firework display and a concert by Sergej Ćetković.

 

About the Youth Sports Games

The Youth Sports Games are the largest amateur sports event in Europe. Over the past 25 years they have attracted more than two million youngsters. Every year, from January to August, they organise sports competitions in ten sports – such as the Tommy tournament in indoor soccer 2009, Coca-Cola Cup in football, HEP handball tournament, Croatian Post Cup tennis tournament, the Kinder street basketball tournament, beach volleyball, volleyball, table tennis and chess under the auspices of the International Chess Federation – along with a sports-educational event, the Telemach Sports Day.

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