Four Parts of the World are Celebrating Day of Football and Friendship

           Participants of the fourth season of the International Children's FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP programme, implemented by Gazprom company, have celebrated the International Day of Football and Friendship.

          The holiday is being held on the 25th of April in all countries participating in the F4F programme. This year it is celebrated in 32 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

          On this Day young football players, participants of the F4F programme, take part in various sport and media events. As young ambassadors they promote among their peers and acquaintances key programme values:  friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour.

          All the events of the International Day of Football and Friendship start with the exchange of Friendship bracelets, which are worn not only by F4F programme participants, but also celebrities, supporting the programme in different countries. This year Luis Fernandez, Mario Gomez, Martin Palermo and other famous sportsmen and cultural figures in different countries have joined Didier Drogba, Dick Advocaat, Luis Neto, Anatoly Tymoshchuk, Julian Draxler and many others, who supported the programme during last years.

          In four parts of the world friendly matches, football tournaments, open trainings with star footballers, city holidays, media events and TV shows were held. In total over 90 000 persons all over the world were involved in the International Day of Football and Friendship initiatives.

          The Global ambassador of the F4F programme, the legendary Franz Beckenbauer, has specially come to Moscow to participate in the Day of Football and Friendship events. The world star has met with the FC Zenit children's team, which will represent Russia this May in Milan at the Fourth International Children's F4F Forum and Tournament. Besides, Mr. Beckenbauer has met representatives of the programme' media partners and participated in a special TV project on Russian national TV, dedicated to the International Day of Football and Friendship.

          "This day is uniting people irrespective of age, gender, nationality and physical health. Anybody who wish, may join celebration and football game. On this day we see on the field musicians and journalists, children and adults, boys and girls, sportsmen and people with special needs sharing the same field and same values, which FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP programme is promoting", said Franz Beckenbauer.

          Source: International Children's Social FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP programme press center