Football for Friendship

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP (Russian: ФУТБОЛ ДЛЯ ДРУЖБЫ) is an annual international children’s social programme organized by Gazprom Company within 'Gazprom for Children' initiative. The aim of the programme is to promote essential values embodied by football with the younger generation, such as respect for other cultures and nationalities, equality and a healthy lifestyle through the love of sport.[1] The programme involves football players aged 12–14 years from different countries[2] who take part in the Annual International Children’s Forum, International Street Soccer Tournament, International Day of Football and Friendship.[3]

The global ambassador of the programme is Franz Beckenbauer.[4]

"Football is about fairness. It does not know any boundaries. And it creates life-long friendships. The FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP project has a lot to do with teaching kids to overcome national and racial boundaries, about a healthy lifestyle, team work, and winning and losing together. Instilling these values in children across Europe is a worthy cause which I am proud to support."[5]

The FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP programme is a winner of IABC 2016 Gold Quill Awards in Corporate Social Responsibility category.[6] The Global operator of the programme is AGT Communications Group (Russia).[7]

History

First Forum

On May 25, 2013 London hosted the First International Children’s FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP Forum that welcomed around 700 children from 8 countries: Bulgaria, UK, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Russia, Serbia and Slovenia.[8]

The Forum involved such youth teams as Chelsea, Zenit, Schalke 04, Crvena Zvezda; 11 football teams from 11 Russian cities which will host games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup; Gazprom sports day winners, Flame festival laureates.[9]

During the Forum children communicated with their peers from other countries, famous football players and visited UEFA Champions League Final 2013 at Wembley stadium.[10]

UK Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson said about the event:

"The ‘Football for Friendship’ scheme is a great opportunity for young people from across Europe to come together through the power of sport. It’s great that participants from Westminster will be a part of ‘Football for Friendship’ and attend the Champions League Final at Wembley, an experience that will no doubt live long in their memories".[11]

At the Forum the Open letter was formed by children in which they formulated eight values of the programme: friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory and traditions. Later the letter was sent to the heads of UEFA, FIFA and IOC.[12] In September 2013 Joseph Blatter, while meeting Vladimir Putin and Vitaly Mutko, confirmed that he had received the letter and expressed support for the FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP values:

"It is true that the key principles listed must play an important role for all football players and for all football fans. I am proud to have received this letter and I stand by these principles with great pleasure".[13]

Second Forum

The Second International Children’s FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP Forum took place in Lisbon on May 23–25, 2014 and welcomed football players from 16 countries: Belarus, Bulgaria, UK, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine, France and Croatia. During the Forum, children participated in the Street Soccer Tournament and visited UEFA Champions League Final 2014.[14]

The Forum culminated in election of the FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP movement leader. Filipe Soares (Portugal) was elected as a leader for one year.[15]

Third Forum

The Third International Children’s Forum FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDHIP was held on the 4–7 June 2015 in Berlin.[16] It was attended by 24 youth football teams from 24 countries.[17]

During the Forum children had an opportunity to communicate with their peers from other countries and football stars including the global ambassador of the programme Franz Beckenbauer as well as to participate in the International Street Soccer Tournament among youth football teams from 24 countries.[18]

Forum events were covered by 200 journalists of the major global media as well as 24 young reporters from Europe and Asia, who joint the Forum International Children’s Press Centre.[19]

The Forum culminated with presentation of Nine Values Cup which is given by young participants of the FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP programme to professional football clubs of UEFA Champions League for social projects that practically perform values of the programme: friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour. This is a unique trophy with no analogue in sports community, and this year it was presented for the first time. The winner was defined by children who had taken part in global 24-country voting held shortly before the Forum.[20]

FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP Nine Values Cup went to FC Barcelona (Spain).[21]

After the Forum all the participants visited UEFA Champions League Final Berlin 2015 at the Olympic stadium.[22]

Fourth Forum

The fourth season of “FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP” International children’s social program was announced[23] during the Hangouts online press conference with participation of Franz Beckenbauer, the Global Ambassador of the FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP program,[24] in Munich on the March 24th, 2016.[25]

The FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP Fourth International Children’s Forum[26] will take place in Milan on May 27–28, 2016[27] Eight youth’s teams from Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and Syria have joined the program this year.[28]

In the run-up to the Forum, the voting for the Nine Values Cup has started on April 5, 2016.[29][30] The unique trophy will be awarded to the best professional football club for the greatest commitment to all FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP values: friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions, and honor.[31]

International Street Soccer Tournament

International Street Soccer Tournament has been part of the Football for Friendship project since 2014. The first Tournament gathered 16 teams from 16 countries[32] including Chelsea Foundation[33] and a mixed team of boys and girls from the Netherlands Double Dutchies.[34] Benfica (Portugal) won the Tournament, Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) ranked second, and the united team of Russian cities that will host matches in the 2018 World Cup came third.[35] In 2016 NK Maribor won the tournament.

International Children’s Press Centre

International Children’s Press Centre was established as part of the Football for Friendship project in 2014. It involved 16 journalists aged 12–14 from 16 countries, who won national young reporter competition.[36] England was represented by a 13-year-old Megan Mackey.[37] The winners went to Lisbon as reporters to cover the Second Football for Friendship Forum and visited UEFA Champions League Final.[38] Philomeen Haanen from the Netherlands was recognized as the best young reporter and got a chance to interview the project’s ambassador Franz Beckenbauer.[39]

In 2015 a 12-year-old James Lewis from Great Missenden will represent England at the International Children’s Press Centre among other 24 young reporters[40] who cover the Third Forum and national events within the programme. They also visited the UEFA Champions League Final Berlin 2015.[41]

International Day of Football and Friendship

International Day of Football and Friendship is celebrated as part of the Football for Friendship project on April 25 in all participating countries.[42]

In 2014 it was celebrated for the first time.[43] On this day friendly matches are organised[44] to remind about values of the Football for Friendship programme.[45]

In 2015, Day of Football and Friendship was celebrated in 24 countries.[46] Besides friendly matches, there were events in other formats. In Germany, Julian Draxler and Joel Matip from FC Schalke 04, members of the German national team held an official training session for Schalke U13.[47] In Russia the Tournament of Equal Opportunities was organised with the support of the Blind Sports Federation.[48] In Serbia FC Crvena Zvezda was invited to TV show.[49]

Friendship bracelet

All the events on Day of Football and Friendship start with exchange of Friendship bracelets, signifying tolerance, equality and a healthy lifestyle. The bracelet consists of two strings of green and blue colours where green symbolises football field and blue stands for the sky.[50]

In 2014, Friendship bracelets were presented to Vitor Baia,[51] Dick Advocaat,[52] Franz Beckenbauer,[53] Anatoliy Tymoshchuk.[54]

Post activity

Football players of the Football for Friendship project take part in different events off the official season. Maribor team from Slovenia went to Cambodia to hold a charity friendly match.[55] On September 14, 2014, Sochi hosted the meeting of Russian participants of the programme with Vladimir Putin as part of his meeting with FIFA president Joseph Blatter.[56] In June 2014, the President of France Francois Hollande invited Taverny football team that participated in the Football for Friendship project to Elysee to join him in watching football world champion 2014, the match between France and Nigeria.[57]

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.

Use <references />, or <references group="..." />
  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Gazprom’s "Football For Friendship 2014"
  3. ↑ Europe and Asia to Meet Within Football for Friendship International Children's Social Project of Gazprom
  4. ↑ English football is not in a crisis
  5. ↑ Franz Beckenbauer Kicks Off Gazprom’s ‘Football for Friendship’ Campaign
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Franz Beckenbauer Kicks Off Gazprom’s ‘Football for Friendship’ Campaign
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ FIFA partners. Gazprom
  13. ↑ Vladimir Putin und FIFA-Präsident Joseph S. Blatte bei "Football for Friendship"
  14. ↑ Football for Friendship: Teaching values through football
  15. ↑ Del Secondo Forum Internazionale FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP
  16. ↑ http://sputniknews.com/sport/20150610/1023169435.html
  17. ↑ Young football players from 24 countries of Europe and Asia meet at Third International Children’s Football for Friendship Forum
  18. ↑ Young Players Meet at Int'l Children’s Football for Friendship Forum
  19. ↑ Young Players Meet at Int'l Children’s Football for Friendship Forum
  20. ↑ Young Players Meet at Int'l Children’s Football for Friendship Forum
  21. ↑ Young football players from 24 countries of Europe and Asia meet at Third International Children’s Football for Friendship Forum
  22. ↑ Young Football Players From 24 Countries of Europe and Asia Meet at Third International Children's Football for Friendship Forum
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Chelsea Foundation youngsters head to Lisbon
  33. ↑ Chelsea foundation plays part in children forum
  34. ↑ Double Dutchies na trainingskamp
  35. ↑ Big football for little Europeans
  36. ↑ For Friendlies Football Scope'Young Reporter Competition'to be held
  37. ↑ Crawley girl, 13, who dreams to play football for England meets World Cup legend
  38. ↑ Football For Friendship Are On The Hunt For Talented Young Journalists
  39. ↑ Nederlands voetbaltalent scoort tijdens Football for Friendship: Beste Jonge Journalist uit Nederland interview Franz Beckenbauer
  40. ↑ 12-year-old Bucks boy is the best young reporter
  41. ↑ 24 Young Journalists Join the Football For Friendship Int'l Press Center
  42. ↑ Kids from 24 Countries in Europe and Asia are Celebrating International Day of Football and Friendship
  43. ↑ Children from 24 countries celebrate Day of Football and Friendship
  44. ↑ Kids From 24 Countries Celebrate International Football and Friendship Day
  45. ↑ Said & Done: David Cameron; Sepp in Sochi; and how to say sorry like you mean it
  46. ↑ The International Day of Football and Friendship
  47. ↑ International day of Football and Friendship: Julian and Joel Matip hosted an opened training session for kids today
  48. ↑ Children from 24 countries celebrate Day of Football and Friendship
  49. ↑ Kids from 24 Countries in Europe and Asia are Celebrating International Day of Football and Friendship
  50. ↑ Kids From 24 Countries Celebrate International Football and Friendship Day
  51. ↑ Vitor Baia tips Portugal for 'special' World Cup if Cristiano Ronaldo shines and believes former boss Jose Mourinho will get things right at Chelsea next season
  52. ↑ Double Dutchie Dirk Proper uit Elst: 'Een voetballer moet altijd willen winnen, maar ook kunnen verliezen
  53. ↑ Interview sends Megan Mackey to Champions League final
  54. ↑ Второй международный детский форум «Футбол для дружбы»
  55. ↑ "Футбол для дружбы" шагает по планете
  56. ↑ Meeting with FIFA President Joseph Blatter
  57. ↑ Mondial 2014. Hollande invite deux clubs amateurs à l'Elysée pour France-Nigéria
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Football_for_Friendship&oldid=722477832"