Since 2023, the Embassy has been cooperating with the organization Tangra and football manager Viktor Kirkov to organize free football training sessions for children from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Fakulteta neighborhood.

“We started with seven children, but the number of participants quickly grew,” says Ambassador Ursula Hofter Dzucoli. She adds that she is deeply impressed by the motivation and rapid development of the young footballers, who also take part in tournaments in Sofia, where they have achieved well-deserved victories.

Currently, around 40 children are training under the program with the support of two coaches, and there is already a waiting list. “For them, the training sessions are not just about sport, but also a school for life. Participation requires regular school attendance and a healthy lifestyle — smoking and being overweight are not allowed in the team,” she explains.

According to her, “given the risks and difficulties faced by children from the Fakulteta neighborhood, football truly becomes a lifeline and a source of hope for each and every one of them.”