European Street Football Festival in BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA

From May 20-24, 2009, the town of Foča in Bosnia and Herzegovina once again played host to the second European Street Football Festival.  This unique event in the field of Development through Football was initiated by streetfootballworld (www.streetfootballworld.org).

Established in 2002, Streetfootballworld encourages global partnerships for development in order to contribute to positive social change through football.  Following the success of last year’s festival, 24 teams from 16 nations representing organizations from across Europe came together to present their work and celebrate.  Every participating organization uses the power of football to promote sustainable social development in their communities. Special Olympics Romania participated with a mixed Unified football team from Bucharest: two girls and two boys with intellectual disability from Special High School Nr. 3 and two girls and two boys without intellectual disabilities from the High School “HERMES”.  

There were two aspects to the festival: a series of workshops for players, delegation leaders and coaches as well as a street football tournament.  “The festival in Foča is an extraordinary opportunity to meet other organizations, share best practice and promote football as a tool for social development,” explained Vladimir Borković, Network and Research Director for streetfootballworld.

Ioana Tanase, a female player with intellectual disabilities from Special High School Nr. 3, scored a goal at the event. She commented on her experience: “I am very happy because I succeeded to score at a European competition. It gives me a lot of self confidence.” 

Photo: Special Olympics Romania delegation with a Bosnian team before a match. Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Romania