MOSCOW, April 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
? ?Gazprom, the official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, has doubled the number of countries participating in the FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP international children's social project for 2014. This year, players from youth football teams aged 12 to 14 will participate in the project, representing 16 countries: Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK.
The FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP project is being implemented within a framework of the Gazprom for Children social program. Its major goal is to develop younger generations' critical values: respect for other cultures and nationalities, equality, as well as stimulating their interest in healthy lifestyles, by encouraging children and teenagers to participate in sport.
"Our FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP global initiative, as part of a wider series of social projects from Gazprom, is aimed at helping to educate younger generations in the spirit of mutual respect. The company's programs aim to raise healthy children, and encourage sportsmanship and respect among peers. We believe that FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP has already begun to encourage the development of these principles amongst children worldwide", said Alexey Miller, Chairman of Gazprom's Management Committee.
This year, the key event of the FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP project will be the second International Forum of Child Football Teams to be held in Lisbon on May 23-25 2014, to coincide with the UEFA Champions League Final 2014. On completion of the Forum, young delegates will attend the UEFA Champions League Final 2014 at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
The Forum will be conducted under the auspices of the world football star Franz Beckenbauer. Delegates from 16 countries will gather to discuss tools for effective promotion of the FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP key principles, such as: traditions, peace, friendship, victory, health, equality, fair play and devotion.
"The results of last year's FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP project emphasized the importance of bringing together children who are passionate about football to promote sport and strong moral values. This is further validated by the number of countries participating in the FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP which has doubled this year. We can see that children, who attended last year's Forum in London, have turned out to be ambassadors of tolerance, equality and healthy lifestyles. It means that thanks to football the world can really become a little kinder, healthier and more tolerant. We'll do our best to continue these values together with young athletes participating in the project," said Franz Beckenbauer.
Contact:
Ilya Podkopalov
i.podkopalov@agt-agency.ru
tel : +7-926-363-70-43
http://www.gazprom-football.com
CONTACT: International Press Center contacts: f4f_uk@gazprom-football.com
