Azerbaijan ready for Grassroots Day

The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) has announced a big day of activities to be staged on 25 May as part of their celebrations for UEFA Grassroots Day.

Four events in four different venues around the country have been arranged, with a total of over 600 youngsters expected to take part and over 2000 more to attend as spectators. The largest number of participants are expected in Mingachevir, where around 300 children will enter a ball-juggling competition. The winners, judged on the length and skill level of their routine, will be decided by a jury of past players and other football experts and awarded prizes donated by the AFFA.

Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, will host a special tournament for orphans at the city's Shagan Olympic Complex. Six teams will be involved – including a total of 120 children – with medals and diplomas given to the top three sides in the competition. Meanwhile, in Surakhani, a street football tournament will take place involving eight municipal teams who will play matches on two pitches that will be specially installed.

The fourth event will take place in the southern coastal city of Lankaran. Around 1000 people are expected to watch and approximately 120 children to participate in a tour around the Lankaran city stadium, with information on how to get involved in the game to feature prominently in presentations by football experts. Later in the day the youngsters will get a chance to showcase their skills in a series of activities which emphasise coordination and technique.