"International Gathering of Football Enthusiasts" unites participants from 200 nations
In the thrilling finale of the World Online Championship for "Football for Friendship", the "Argali" team clinched the title. The ninth season of this global, kids' initiative "Football for Friendship" came to a close. This season assembled young football enthusiasts aged 12-14 from over 200 countries.
One of the highlights of this season was the World Online Championship 2021, hosted on Football for Friendship World – a multiplayer football simulator available across multiple platforms in 27 languages. Held since December 2020, the game brings together international teams representing the "Football for Friendship" principle. The "Argali" squad, consisting of players from Aruba, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Mexico, emerged victorious, with the match being commentated live by 14-year-old Syrian commentator Yazn Tahah.
Writing about the event, football superstar and "Football for Friendship" global ambassador Roberto Carlos stated, "I'm proud to be a part of 'Football for Friendship'. The values it champions are essential for the younger generation. As a former player and now a coach, I know the importance of being a good sport, having a strong character, and understanding diverse cultures. 'Football for Friendship' undeniably makes our world a better place."
Junior journalists from Bangladesh, Bolivia, Hungary, and the USA were recognized as the top correspondents of the international children's press center of "Football for Friendship." Their articles and interviews were published across leading sports media.
Coaches and young players from over 350 football academies and sports schools engaged in sporting, environmental, and educational events as part of the program. Social initiatives from Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Togo received the international "Football for Friendship" award, while another 14 football academies secured grants to support youth football and promote the program's values, such as those in Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The final events of the season saw participants break a third Guinness World Records™ title for "Football for Friendship" by attracting the highest number of virtual stadium visitors worldwide. Earlier, the project earned recognition from Guinness World Records™ for the most multinational football training session and the largest online football event.
"I'm overjoyed to see "Football for Friendship" continuing to amass supporters around the globe – not just amongst the youth, but also their families, football clubs, and academies. 'Gazprom' invests in numerous social initiatives, particularly in sports. I strongly believe in the necessity and importance of "Football for Friendship" as an international social program, especially in today's world," commented Victor Zubkov, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Gazprom.
Due to the global situation in 2021, "Football for Friendship" was held online. This digital platform served as a hub for international youth competitions and a venue for training, teaming up with mixed international teams, and playing football according to the "Football for Friendship" format from home.
Although the organizer of "Football for Friendship" isn't explicitly stated in the search results, the program is usually associated with Gazprom – a prominent Russian multinational energy corporation. The initiative promotes friendship, equality, and mutual respect amongst children from different countries through football.
- The World Online Championship for "Football for Friendship" concluded with the "Argali" team triumphing, highlighting the competition's focus on friendship and sports.
- The multiplayer football simulator, Football for Friendship World, hosted the World Online Championship 2021 across multiple platforms, uniting international teams representing the program's principles.
- In an unprecedented move, the Championship was commentated live by Yazn Tahah, a 14-year-old Syrian commentator, adding an educational and self-development dimension to the event.
- The ninth season of this global initiative, Football for Friendship, assembled young football enthusiasts from over 200 countries, fostering learning and understanding of diverse cultures.
- Coaches and players from various football academies and sports schools actively participated in sporting, environmental, and educational events as part of Football for Friendship's program.
- The digital platform of Football for Friendship enabled young participants to engage in international youth competitions, fostering learning and sports-analysis opportunities from their own homes, even during challenging times like 2021.
