GEORGIA: Football Federation signs Memorandum

A memorandum of agreement was signed between Special Olympics Georgia and the Georgian Football Federation on 29 April in Tbilisi. The memorandum, which will cover 2009-2013, outlines support and cooperation between the two organizations. Federation president Nodar Akhalkatsi and Special Olympics National Director Zhaneta Gotsirelu signed the agreement at Federation headquarters.  The signing was covered by television and print journalists.

The signing was a prelude to a football tournament that Special Olympics Georgia organized as part of the Special Olympics European Football Week. One hundred and twenty Special Olympics footballers, including one female team, competed in the two-day tournament that was held at the 35th Football School stadium. The players came from Tbilisi and seven regions; most were younger than 16.

Among the guests at Opening and Closing Ceremonies were Revaz Arveladze, general secretary of the Georgian Football Federation, Dimitri Bokeria, member of the Georgian Football Federation and Communications Director,  and Archil Arveladze, director of the 35th Football School. Archil Arveladze, who played for clubs in Georgia, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Germany, is the Football Ambassador for Special Olympics Georgia. He said: “I have three children and they love sports and football – like me.  When I am with Special Olympics players I see no difference – they love to play.  Football was my life – and it is part of theirs too.”

Krzysztof  Krukowski, organizational development director, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, also attended the tournament. 

The tournament was divided in two divisions with the semifinal, final and Awards Ceremonies held on 1 May.  All participating teams received footballs.

Fifty volunteers were involved in event, most of them students from the Medical University. Special Olympics athletes and coach assistants also joined in as volunteers. 

Coach assistants also participated in a coach training seminar that was held on 1 May.

The tournament was broadcast on Rustavi 2 and Imedi.

In addition to the Football Federation, Mtatsminda theme park and McDonalds supported the event.  The young players were delighted to take a break from playing and enjoy a McDonalds “Happy Meal.”

Photo:  Special Olympics Football Ambassador Archil Arveladze and Special Olympics Georgia players on a poster promoting the tournament.  (Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Georgia)