In 2023 The Embassy of the Order of Malta supported the newly established football club “Tang RA” from the Fakulteta district. This is an initiative of the famous football manager Viktor Kirkov, also responsible for the “Team of Hope”, who has been working for years with individuals from vulnerable groups, who he enthuses about football and changes their not easy fates. Throughout 2023, initially 8 (eight) and afterwards 11 (eleven) children trained hard twice a week. In the past few months the magic of football has become part of their world. It is the tool they use to build personal qualities, believe in themselves and move away from the vices that surround them.
Incredible as it may sound, there are eight-year-old smokers whose only motivation to end their nicotine addiction is the opportunity to coach football. The training sessions for the children were completely free. The young football players finished their participation in the Bulgarian Mini Football Association’s Children’s Winter League 2024 with a win. “It was an honour to support such a noble initiative” – said Ambassador Ursula Hofter Zuccoli – “I am very happy to see the success of the children and that their numbers kept increasing. Our efforts to offer them a better world and opportunities for development are already yielding small but very important results.”