MOSCOW, 12 June (BelTA) – The international children's social project Football for Friendship has kicked off in Moscow, BelTA has learned.
The football championship among children from different countries under 12 began with qualifying matches. The event features a total of 32 international teams: 4 teams in each group. Winners will play in the final tonight.
Belarus is represented by Ksenia Yatsynovich from Molodechno. The Belarusian is a central defender in Orangutang team that also includes guys Georgia, Lesotho, India, Papua New Guinea and Seychelles.
Matches are held in the Sapsan Arena, which is the youth's home stadium of Lokomotiv, the current champion of Russian Premier League
The final events of the Football for Friendship program are timed to coincide with the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The program of activities includes the launch of ecological routes, an international camp of friendship, an international children's forum, a visit to the World Cup opening match. The project involves 1,500 children and adults. Football for Friendship is covered by over 5,000 mass media outlets from all over the world.
Launched in 2013, Football for Friendship has involved about 4,00 boys and girls over the years. The program is supported by FIFA, UEFA, the International Olympic Committee, national football federations and clubs, as well as charity foundations.
