Nearly 10,000 Hungarian children kick footballs during Grassroots Week

Two years ago, we celebrated the success of the opening of the Hungarian school year with a one-day Grassroots event, which brought together 900 participants. Last year, thanks to the cooperation of the Hungarian Football Federation and its clubs, 3,500 children were invited to participate in sport during Grassroots Week. This time, nearly three times as many children as last year played sport at Grassroots Week in Hungary, and three times as many Hungarian club venues created enjoyable atmospheres for those eager to play football.

Thanks to a large number of clubs and associations, many socially disadvantaged children, youngsters with disabilities, girls and boys and even adults were given the opportunity to become involved in grassroots programmes, for example, through the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, which welcomed children at newly-built sports venues in disadvantaged areas, facilities which were built with the support of the Hungarian Football Federation. Last year, Hungarian men's top-tier club Diosgyőri VTK entertained 1,500 children during Grassroots Week and, as a result, received silver medal at the UEFA Grassroots Awards.

This year, the same club welcomed 3,500 children to its multi-sport events organised over four days. Hungary’s most popular football club, Ferencvárosi TC, organised a Health Day for its fans to demonstrate the impact of football on health and provide the opportunity for more senior participants to play walking football. Paksi FC, a football club playing in Hungary’s men's top division, organised UEFA Playmakers' activities for young girls. Furthermore, sustainability was also represented on Grassroots Week through the FUTURE project, in which Hungary is an active participant.

Additionally, to promote the UEFA Grassroots Week during the 8th round of the Hungarian Fizz League, players were escorted onto the pitches by children who play football in the Hungarian Football Federation’s grassroots programmes and clubs.

Over the past ten years, the grassroots football's base in Hungary has grown significantly, thanks in part to the OTP Bank Bozsik Programme. Nearly 180,000 children participate in the Bozsik Programme through clubs or institutions.