Sporting stars support mini-pitch

Another UEFA Jubilee mini-pitch has been opened – this time in the Czech Republic, with a number of sporting stars in attendance for the ceremony. The mini-pitch has been constructed under the auspices of the UEFA HatTrick assistance programme.

Elementary school
The new football pitch at the Rozdělov elementary school in Kladno was opened for use by UEFA Executive Committee member Marios N. Lefkaritis and Football Association of the Czech Republic (CMFS) president Jan Obst. The CMFS's general secretary Petr Fousek and the deputy mayor of Kladno, Antonín Kajgr, were also present.

Ambitious project
"I am happy to be able to open the first mini-pitch in the Czech Republic. Each of the 52 member associations of UEFA will benefit equally from the ambitious project for mini-pitches. I firmly believe that it will help children to spend their leisure time more usefully," said Mr Lefkaritis. "Football is the largest and most popular sport in the Czech Republic and we want it to set an example," added Mr Obst.

Stars baptise pitch
The pitch was baptised in a match between the young footballers of the SK Kladno club and famous sportsmen, including Jan Suchopárek, a member of the Czech Republic team that reached the 1996 UEFA European Championship final in England and current Kladno player, and Pavel Patera and Martin Procházka, Olympic ice-hockey champions, at present playing in the colours of Rabat Kladno.

Prototype minipitch
UEFA's HatTrick Board has decided to offer a prototype mini-pitch to each UEFA member association, as European football's governing body celebrates its Golden Jubilee. The mini-pitch in question should be installed near to the association's headquarters and possibly close to, or on the premises of, a school.