Within the scope of “European Week of Football”, an initiative of the Special Olympics traditionally celebrated every year, Special Olympics North Macedonia brought together around 100 athletes, partners, supporters, and football players on one football field.
This year’s edition was held in cooperation with Macedonian Telekom A.D., and supported by the United Nations Population Fund – UNFPA, The Agency for Youth and Sports, The Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM), and NLB Bank. The event took place last Saturday (08.06.2024), in the City Park. The athletes participated in a series of football activities and competitions aimed at social inclusion, friendship, and enjoyment in sports as equals, developing understanding towards each other.
“European Week of Football 2024“ is an initiative of the Special Olympics, connecting athletes through the most important secondary activity in the world – football, and drawing public attention to the importance of inclusivity – on the field and in everyday life.
“Traditionally this year, as in previous years, Special Olympics North Macedonia participated in the celebration of European Week of Football with the involvement of our athletes in mixed teams, together with representatives from NLB Bank. Through such events, directly from the field, but also more broadly, we demonstrate how significant the role of inclusion through sports and in everyday life is. Last Saturday we played football for recreation, for friendship, for equality, and most importantly – to show by example that if actively each of us gets involved and lends a hand, inclusion is not just a wish, but a reality. Therefore, a big thank you to Makedonski Telekom A.D. and all our supporters, partners, collaborators, volunteers, as well as to the team of Special Olympics North Macedonia for their support and organization of this event. Only together can we raise the level of inclusivity in our country.” – stated Monika Boskoska, President of Special Olympics North Macedonia.
As an initiative, “European Week of Football” founded by Special Olympics Europe-Eurasia and supported by FIFA, annually unites a large number of footballers and coaches with and without intellectual disabilities who, through the concept of “Unified Sports”, contribute to increasing inclusivity. As part of the 24th edition of the European Week of Football, over 35,000 women and male athletes with and without intellectual disabilities participated in 350 events held across 45 countries in Europe and Eurasia, including our country.
