Special Exhibitions match kicks off the 19th EFDN Conference

Special Exhibitions match kicks off the 19th EFDN Conference

To literally kick off this 19th Conference, Special Olympics and EFDN proposed a special event, the Unified with Refugees inclusive football match, In which two inclusive teams composed of 10 Special Olympics athletes and 10 residents of the Seville Refugee Reception Centre played each other. This special game took place in the Luis del Sol complex of Real Betis Balompié where our delegates for the 19th Conference also enjoyed the atmosphere of the match followed by a Welcoming Dinner.

The vision of the event is to have the Unified Football match implemented on the sidelines of the conference, to both draw attention to the plight facing marginalized groups like refugee youth and individuals with intellectual disabilities and moreover to underscore the effective role that football plays in eradicating stigma and creating communities of engagement and welcome.

Both teams gave a superior performance and put on a game with plenty of positions and a lot of pleasure to watch. With the support of the followers, a perfect atmosphere was created. Like the theme of the conference, the theme of #Morethanfootball was embroidered on the field and in the audience. At the continuation of the night, medals were presented to the athletes who competes on the field.

Special Olympics Advisor of the Unified with Refugees Programme Gerald Mballe shared his own story with all of the athletes and with the attendees of the match during the dinner at the training complex.