AFFA gives youngsters chance to impress

A large festival of football to celebrate UEFA Grassroots Day was held by the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) with over 300 people involved in three separate activities organised in different parts of the country.

In the southern coastal city of Lankaran, more than 100 children were given the chance to show off their skills with activities including dribbling, shooting and ball-juggling on the agenda. Taking place in the Lankaran City stadium, former players were on hand to oversee especially arranged lessons based on technical skill and coordination.

"On the day we tried to organise several activities which hopefully gave the opportunity for many kids and young football players to develop their skills and inspire them to choose football as their chosen profession in future," said Narmina Khuluflu from the AFFA. "Above all in grassroots, which is one of the main aspects of our strategy, we also promote a healthy lifestyle."

Elsewhere, a Street Football Cup was in at the Tofig Ismayilov stadium in the Surakhani district of Baku. The event involved around 100 people from different areas of the Azerbaijani capital with the focus simply on playing football. "Through this event we tried to give everyone the opportunity to have an enjoyable time and take part in football activities," said Khuluflu.

Meanwhile, at the Shaghan Olympic Complex on the eastern tip of Azerbaijan, a tournament for orphanages took place. This special event involved six teams and around 100 children from the orphanages in Baku, Lankaran, Sheki and Ganca with with medals and diplomas given to the best performing sides in the competition.