Apollon FC complete their Welcome through Football programme

Our member Apollon Limassol FC completed the last practical sessions of their “Welcome Through Football” programme. In total, five European clubs participate in the project that aims at promoting the integration of young refugees.

Apollon created a four-month plan (July – October) to develop the programme with the primary aim of providing joy and smiles to children who do not have the opportunity to enjoy the simple and the important things of life. In collaboration with the St. John’s Foundation, Elemon and the HopeForChildren organisation the club created a football team consisting of 20 young refugee boys and girls from 7 to 18 years who live in Limassol. The programme began in July 2019 and lasted four months. During this time, twelve sessions consisting of two parts were delivered. The first part included training seminars and the second part football training.

The training seminars were conducted by psychologists and social workers of the Hope For Children organisation, which aimed to strengthen the personality and confidence of young refugees. Through the seminars, children were also educated about their rights and how to respond or deal with various cases of violation of their rights. The ultimate goal was to enhance their leadership, communication and organisational skills. The second part of the programme consisted of football trainings conducted by Limassol’s academy’s technical director Mr. Valentinos Koulountis and the team manager of the U19 team Mr. Panikos Karamanides. Mr. Valentin Koulountis, the head of the whole project, spoke about the programme and was very happy about this unique experience despite the demanding session.

“I would describe my whole experience as something unique. Difficulties certainly existed as all children, regardless of origin, have their own character and each needs its own special treatment. However, one incident deeply engraved in my mind and I don’t think that I will ever forget it. In one training session, two children quarreled. I approached them and told them football is a very beautiful sport, but it is very competitive. We all want to win and dominate each other, but that only happens during the match. Before and after the game, we are all friends, there is no need to argue without a serious reason. As soon as I was done, the two kids hugged and forgot about the situation. Since then, the two have become very good friends. This, once again, showed how beautiful football is and the power it has.”