Russian President Vladimir Putin met with participants of the International Children’s Social Program of PJSC Gazprom “Football for Friendship”

On February 21, 2024, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin attended a training session of the “Football for Friendship. Phygital” tournament, that took place as part of the opening of the International multi-sport tournament “Games of the Future” in Kazan. The event was also attended by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of the Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. The heads of state showed keen interest in the training and team members, and discussed the possibilities of using modern technologies in sports.

During the inspection of the tournament areas by the President of Russia and high-ranking guests, some of the Football for Friendship teams played on the football field, and some in the cyber zone. On the football field, training for the teams was conducted by the Ambassador of the Football for Friendship program, Deputy General Director of FC Zenit for Sports Development Andrey Arshavin. “The Football for Friendship program has no boundaries; it gives young athletes from all around the world the opportunity to express themselves, acquire important skills, and participate in competitions,” noted Andrei Arshavin.

The international children’s social program “Football for Friendship” has been implemented by PJSC Gazprom since 2013. The tenth anniversary season of the program is taking place in Kazan as part of the “Games of the Future” tournament, in which “Football for Friendship” athletes represent the youngest age category – children aged 10 to 12 years.

“Football for Friendship. Phygital” tournament brought together 36 guys from Russia, Belarus, Benin, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Romania, Macedonia, Serbia, Syria, Slovenia, Tanzania, Turkey and the Central African Republic. Traditionally, the teams are named after rare and endangered species of animals: “Caspian seal”, “Gobi brown bear”, “Franklin’s bumblebee”, “Spot-tailed marsupial marten”, “Socorra pigeon” and “Onager”.

On February 22, qualifying matches for the “Football for Friendship” championship took place. The final match will take place on February 23 at the Kazan Expo football field. It will be broadcast live on all information resources of the Games of the Future https://gofuture.games/broadcasts/.

All competition participants will receive the status of Young Ambassadors of “Football for Friendship” and, upon returning home, will continue to share their experiences and promote the values of the program – friendship, equality, justice, health, peace, loyalty, victory, traditions and honor.

Informational resources

“Football for Friendship” official website:  https://footballforfriendship.com

“The Games of the Future” official website: https://gofuture.games