Latvia reveal 'Football Day' plans

The Latvian Football Federation (LFF) has announced an agenda of activities under the banner of 'Futbola diena' that will take place all over the country on 15 May to celebrate UEFA Grassroots Day.

Just as UEFA Grassroots Day itself on 25 May will emphasise the link between grassroots and the elite by being aligned to the UEFA Champions League final, just three days before the showpiece event at Wembley Stadium, Futbola diena will have a similar synergy.

"This year we have merged our main grassroots event together with one of the most popular elite football occasions in our country - the Latvian Cup Final - making the gap between both levels closer," LFF grassroots manager Aivars Vaivods told UEFA.com. There will also be free bus rides offered to the cup final from various cities around Latvia where 'football fiestas' will be taking place involving a variety of football-based attractions including competitions and games.

Futbola diena, directly translated as 'Football Day', will be a multi-faceted event. In line with one of the main themes of UEFA Grassroots Day, that anyone should be able to play football, there will be an attempt to set a record of the most matches played in one day. "We are calling for all football friends in our country to be active and organise different kinds of football games," said Vaivods.

"The football games could be played between organisations, schools, municipalities, families or friends. In the same way it could be different types of matches - beach soccer, indoor soccer, mud football, eight-a-side or 11-a-side. The main goal for this event is to generate in people a sense of joy and celebration. Everyone can be part of Futbola diena, this is a key moment."

The main bridge between all of the activities taking place on the day will take place at the Skonto Stadium in Riga where there will be street and table football competitions, open training opportunities for six to 10-year-olds under the supervision of professional coaches, a celebrity match featuring musicians, sports stars and politicians and a big screen where information about all of the activities taking place around Latvia will be displayed.