Special Olympics football week

Tremendous support
"Each year, and with the tremendous support of the entire football family, we continue to see the expansion of the Special Olympics European Football Week. The legacy of Football Week will be a greater understanding of the gifts and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities throughout Europe," said Michael Smith, managing director of the Brussels-based office of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia.

This year's events
This year's events will include activities combining the application of SO Get Into It (the Special Olympics school curriculum that encourages understanding, tolerance and acceptance among young people) and Unified Football, in which players with and without disabilities play on the same team. In addition, there will be further emphasis on grassroots football development, particularly in Eastern Europe.

Development project
Football Week is one of the highlights of the Special Olympics football development project that aims to increase the number of players to 50,000 by 2005. The project is supported by UEFA.

UEFA backing
"UEFA is pleased to continue to support the Special Olympics European Football Week. Football Week has proved to be a highly inclusive initiative that brings many new opportunities to players with intellectual disabilities. Without a doubt, clubs and federations have been instrumental in ensuring that UEFA's partnership with Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia adds great value to the development of football for all," said UEFA CEO Lars-Christer Olsson.

Long-term benefits
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. More than one million athletes in over 150 countries train and compete in 26 Olympic-style summer and winter sports at local, national and international events. Through its sports programmes, Special Olympics strives to provide long-term benefits to individuals' health, self-esteem and social integration.

UEFA friendly match
As part of the Special Olympics week to further enhance public awareness, as well as the acceptance and integration of mentally handicapped people in our society, UEFA is organising a UEFA-Special Olympics friendly match on 25 April 2005.

Nyon date
UEFA's men and women's football teams and Special Olympics players will meet for a mixed friendly at the Colovray Stadium, opposite UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.