Dubrovnik, 27-29. October 2023. Last week, inclusive sports event of the project Special Power League – sports league for children and people with developmental disabilities – took place on the soccer fields in Dubrovnik.
With each new edition of the inclusive football sports program, the number of children and youth with developmental disabilities increases, thus achieving the overall goal of the project. The increasing number of children as well as the clubs are confirmation that the project is going in the right direction. With this meeting, the section for children and persons with developmental disabilities from Dubrovnik officially joined the project in cooperation with GOŠK Dubrovnik.
As part of the 20th edition of the Special Power League, the following teams of famous football clubs participated: NK Istra 1961 Special Power Team, HNK Hajduk Split Special Power Team, NK Osijek Special Power Team, NK Slaven Belupo Special Power Team, GNK Dinamo Special Power Team, NK Sloga Čakovec Special Power Team and GOŠK Dubrovnik Special Power Team. Participants had a great time playing football, scored goals, presented their football skills, but also demonstrated other values of football and sports such as teamwork, equality and fair play.
The opening ceremony and award ceremony were magnified by head of the Administrative Department for Education, Sports, Social Welfare and Civil Society Miho Katičić, the head of the youth school GOŠK Dubrovnik Oliver Kljajić, and the general secretary of the HLA Dario Jagić, who presented trophies, medals and commemorative gifts for participants.
The added value of the project was contributed by the joint gathering and the tour of the famous walls of Dubrovnik, which left unforgettable memories for the participants and their supporters. Socializing together on the sports fields, but also outside them, is extremely important for this project because it contributes to the promotion of equality in society as well as raising the level of awareness of the needs of children and people with developmental disabilities.
During the 3 days of the project, football sports activities were held, as well as other sports and fun activities aimed at children and young people which raised the quality level of the project itself. In addition to the large number of football matches played between 7 teams, during the sports project the children had the opportunity to socialize and try additional sports content provided by GOŠK Dubrovnik. In addition to additional activities, a joint tour of the hall and watching a basketball game was organized, which the participants followed closely and enjoyed.
Outside of sports activities, the participants had fun together in their free time at the IVKA hotel where they were accommodated , had great time with organized activities.
The participants of the tournament had a great time playing football and showed great satisfaction with the competition. The continuity and successful development of this socially responsible project was supported by HNS, UEFA, the Mateo Kovačić Foundation, associations working with people with developmental disabilities, as well as numerous sports clubs in Croatia and abroad.
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