UEFA and Special Olympics event

UEFA and Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia have joined forces in Brussels to stage the fourth annual tournament for Special Olympics athletes, members of the European Parliament and the European Commission.

Bringing people together
The yearly event demonstrates the power of football to bring different people together, irrespective of their nationality, ability or sex. Each team is mixed: young athletes play alongside politicians and their research assistants, while the sports unit of the European Commission also contributes some players of its own.

Resounding success
The day was a resounding success under blue skies. European Commissioner Ján Figeľ exchanged commemorative shirts with RSC Anderlecht president Roger Vanden Stock shortly before kick-off. Anderlecht kindly provided eight of their youngest talents, who played alongside the Special Olympics athletes and together experienced a whole new facet of teamwork and understanding. Belgian football legend Paul Van Himst was also an interested spectator.

Having fun
"This has been a great illustration of the way in which sport can bring people from different backgrounds together to share a common interest, learn from each other and have fun while doing so," said Figeľ. "Football offers a great opportunity for encounters between people from different cultures – both players and fans – and I'm delighted that today's matches are being played with the support of the European Commission under the banner of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue."

Football's magic
Chris Heaton-Harris MEP refereed the game. "The magic of football brings different people together and offers them a shared experience." Special Olympics' global messenger Patrick Brehmer also spoke to the crowd afterwards, thanking UEFA for its support over the last ten years.

UEFA backing
Special Olympics, founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, is the world's largest year-round programme of sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities. UEFA has been giving significant backing to Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia for several years.