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Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia region held its annual Special Olympics European Football Week 22-29 April 2003. This article (3 of 3) recaps of some of the many ways countries participated in the celebration, which featured approximately 15,000 players taking place in football (soccer) events.
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Belarus tournament hosts many dignitaries
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"On behalf of The Belarus Football Federation, I wish all Special Olympics players much success …"
Yurij Kurbyko, Vice President of the Federation |
The national football tournament, held 21-25 April, received a tremendous boost from the support of Belarussian Premier league club BATE. Held in club's hometown of Borisov, the tournament attracted 100 Special Olympics footballers. The footballers were invited to live at the BATE training ground, mingle with professional players in the canteen and watch their training sessions.
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Valery Tarasenko, one of BATE's star players (center), poses with a Special Olympics Belarus footballer while another signs autographs in the background. [Photo courtesy Special Olympics Belarus] |
The tournament's Opening Ceremonies had numerous dignitaries including Borisov Mayor Vasilij Burgun, who said, "Our town is proud to welcome the Special Olympics footballers and we hope you all feel like winners."
The tournament was supported by The Belarus Football Federation. "Sports plays a very important role in people's life. It makes us strong, it initiates contacts, it helps people to learn more about each other. On behalf of The Belarus Football Federation I wish all players much success during the tournament," said Yurij Kurbyko, vice president of the federation, during Opening Ceremonies.
Closing Ceremonies was an unforgettable experience for the Special Olympics footballers as they received their medals from the BATE football players. They also received special prizes and gifts from federation and National Olympic Committee while the BATE club presented every team with crystal champions cups, balls and autographed photos.
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Tournament participants, including BATE players and Mikhail Dementsevich, general director, BATE football club. [Photo courtesy Special Olympics Belarus] |
Also attending the tournament was Marc Feltgen, president and national director, Special Olympics Luxembourg, and chairman, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia Leadership Council, who presented the Special Olympics players with T-shirts and footballs. "I have met many people here who, with great generosity, give their hearts and souls to Special Olympics athletes," Feltgen said. He presented Valentina Shutko, chairperson of the organizing committee and vice mayor of Borisov, with a commemorative gift. Other important supporters of Special Olympics football include the Sport and Tourism Ministry, Ministry of Social Affairs, local authorities and volunteers.
Televised events highlight Denmark's week
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"Special Olympics European Football Week is a fantastic initiative."
Per Nielsen, Captain, Brøndby IF |
On 27 April, 12 Special Olympics Denmark footballers walked onto the pitch with Superleague team Brøndby IF prior to its match with FC Midtjylland. The entire event was broadcast on Denmark's TV3 and included a commentary on football week by top sports presenter Svend Gehrs. The coverage was viewed by 200,000 spectators nationally; 11,000 spectators were present in the stadium.
"Special Olympics European Football Week is a fantastic initiative," said Brøndby captain Per Nielsen. "It emphasizes that football is a game for everyone, and that's why we decided to celebrate this event by inviting young players from Special Olympics Denmark to join us on the field. All players in the Brøndby squad wanted to give them an experience to remember and support them in their game," he said.
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Special Olympics footballers on the pitch with Brøndby IF players. [Photo by Per Kkaebye Photography] |
One of the Special Olympics footballers who walked onto the pitch was midfielder Kristina Kristensen. "I am a great football fan. I noticed that we are playing better this year than last year. This is all thanks to our weekly training. It was really exciting to be here, to meet the professional football players and see their skills in real life," she said.
Kristensen and her fellow Special Olympics football players were invited to the VIP lounge of the stadium where they watched the match.
"Brøndby IF welcomes any initiative that brings young people to football," said Thomas Lutzen from the marketing department of the club. "We are supportive of the Special Olympics European Football Week campaign and were happy to share some of our visibility to benefit football development amongst young players with a mental disability."
Another televised commentary on Football Week took place on 20 April, at FC København, another Superleague club, in front of a crowd of 21,000 spectators.
Special Olympics Denmark took the opportunity to launch a month-long national football initiative to support youth development, with matches played in six locations. The kick-off event was held on 29 April when 600 Special Olympics footballers from 60 teams competed in six locations. Finals will be played on 27 May. Participating players were 13 to 18 years old. "Five years ago there were virtually no young players," said Jørgen Kjeldergaard. "Developing participation among players under 20 became our biggest priority. Football Week is a good showcase event for what we do. With 40 teams participating last year, we are pleased to have 60 teams involved this year." Professional football players were present on all venues, lending their support and sharing their expertise with athletes.
Kyrgyz Republic tournament features young players
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Participants and volunteers at the football event in Bishkent. [Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Kyrgyz Republic] |
Special Olympics Kyrgyz Republic organized a football tournament in Bishket from 22-29 April with 150 very young footballers from local special schools attending. The event was held at the State Physical Culture Institute.
Many of the more than 40 volunteers who helped organize the event are students at the institute. The students, together with family members, have actively supported the National Program since it was started in May 2002.
Kazakhstan hold events in 14 regions
Special Olympics Kazakhstan held events in Almaty and 14 other regions for 1,253 football players from 22-28 April, an increase of nearly 300 players from last year's events. For the first time, four teams of Unified Sports™ football teams participated, as did a female team, which was singled out for special recognition by the Football Union of Kazakhstan.
There was excellent all-round support from the union that provided officials at every match. One of the high-profile events was held in Almaty with 16 teams competing from Almaty and five other regions. Sponsors included Samsung and Coca-Cola. Former professional players from the Kairat club delighted participants with their presence at the event.
There were more than 320 volunteers involved in events, including students from the Academy of Tourism and Sports, as well as family members. Media coverage was excellent, with four national and three regional newspapers and four national and five regional radio broadcasters reporting on the many events of the week.
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A Special Olympics Macedonia football player. [Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Macedonia] |
First-ever tournament in Macedonia
Special Olympics Macedonia organized its first-ever football event from 22-26 April. More than 160 football players competed in three locations around the country.
Of particular interest were the matches between the women's teams. On 26 April, more than 500 people watched the finals competition in Skopije. Teams from Skopije, Kumanovo, Prilep, Bitola, Demir Kapija and Ochrid participated in that tournament. The day ended with a concert for all attendees by popular singer Biba Dodeva. There was extensive media coverage, with Macedonia Channel A1-TV and national radio covering events.
European Football week celebrations in Macedonia were organized in conjunction with Kiwanis International.
Unified Sports™ tournament in Norway
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The Special Olympics Norway Unified Sports™ football team from Elverum. [Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Norway] |
A Special Olympics Unified Sports™ football event was organized on 27 April in Elverumshallen, Norway for seven teams: Eidsvoll, Borgen, Valerenga, Skedsmo, Flisa Stars, Lillestrom and Elverum Unified Football.
Berit Bjerkas, representative, Norwegian Football Association; Per-Gunnar Sveen, mayor; and Per Age Borg, chairman, Elverum Football Club, attended Opening Ceremonies. "Even though the event was small in number, everyone was in excellent spirits and there was a great sense of camaraderie," said Bjornar Pederson, who headed the organizing committee and is a coach for the Elverum Unified team. The atmosphere of the event was probably best summed up in a headline that appeared in a local newspaper: "A football celebration without losers."
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