Dear friends,

I am often asked in interviews what is my life path, what is my recipe for success, what is the secret only I know that led me to the place I am in now. I honestly tell them than what I want to tell you now: there is no secret. There is only faith. In my case it is faith in God and his help, but also faith that we all have to have an equal chance to lead the life we want.

This was the guiding thought that incited me to start the Mateo Kovačić foundation. My wish was to use my gift and success to bring attention to children! I especially want us to think about little ones with developmental difficulties, children with Down syndrome, the children that, because of the financial difficulties their parents are facing, are not thinking how they will play tomorrow but rather whether they will have a hot meal to eat.

I am sure that among these children we will find a brilliant center-forward, goalkeeper, scientist, lawyer, librarian, nurse, doctor, professional driver and, what is most important – a happy person that the entire community can be proud of.

This is the reason why I support Youth Movement Power project as an ideal platform that uses sports, for the fifth year in a row, to contribute to the systemic development of our youngest fellow citizens that have special needs.

We cannot change the world alone, but together we can help. I am happy to be part of this story and I believe that the Youth Movement Power will contribute significantly to our common goal.

A big thank you to everybody who is or will become part of this project.

Mateo Kovačić