Youri Djorkaeff has united 100 children from Armenia and Artsakh around a soccer ball (photos, video in Armenia)

The Armenian Football Federation in cooperation with the FIFA Foundation organized the “FIFA Foundation camp - Armenia 2021” program. It takes place in Yerevan, from May 3-9. The participants of the one-week camp include: 100 children from vulnerable families, orphans, children with disabilities, children from national minorities and finally, children from displaced families of Artsakh. 

The children will take part in fun football training based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. During the week they will have meetings with FIFA Foundation CEO Youri Djorkaeff and the head of the FIFA Refereeing Department Massimo Busacca.   

The FIFA Foundation has chosen Armenia as the first country to implement the program. In the coming months, such programs will be held in other countries as well. The one-week camp for 100 children is organized at the football academy. The CEO of FIFA foundation Youri Djorkaeff and the president of the Armenian Football Federation Armen Melikbekyan greeted the children. 

In his book “Snake” the champion of Europe proves with numerous examples that football can gather and unite different people around one common goal. Djorkaeff claims that uniting people is also the main goal of this program. “The children were very shy on the first day, but now they have become more open. The program gives children an opportunity to get acquainted with a new culture. Maybe tomorrow one of these kids will start taking football lessons and Armenia will have a new Mkhitaryan. This event will definitely help in that matter.”

The program also involves the UN Office in Armenia, which is responsible for the educational component. The closing ceremony will be on May 9th. On that day, the football match will take place at the Republican Stadium. People in charge of the initiative promise that the program will be continuous. This is only the first small step of the great victories of the future.