Memorable week for grassroots in Moldova

More than 8,000 children took part in UEFA Grassroots Day activities in Moldova, with the Football Association of Moldova (FMF) celebrating the occasion with a collection of events under the banner One Week of UEFA Grassroots Football.

The FMF called on everyone who loves football to play in games organised at stadiums and mini-pitches throughout the country.

The week started with two events overseen by the Moldovan branch of Open Fun Football Schools (CCPA/OFFS) – one tournament for 60 children at the Univers LIONS school in Chisinau and another involving over 150 youngsters in the Anenii Noi district. Everyone who participated received special souvenirs and a UEFA Grassroots Day certificate.

CCPA/OFFS were also involved in the organisation of a football festival from 25 to 27 May in the southern region of Gagauzia. Over 300 boys and girls, aged between seven and ten, took part in training sessions, showing off their dribbling, passing and shooting skills while there were also small-sided matches.

"Everything was done with fun and excitement," said CCPA/OFFS Moldova assistant coordinator, Svetlana Ceban. "There's no doubt that after their first training session many of the boys and girls would sign up for a district football club with pleasure."

Elsewhere, on 26 May, the Dmitrii Kantemir Lyceum held a school championship involving 60 children. On 1 June CSCT Buiucani's home ground staged a festival of football for 150 children born between 2001 and 2003, attended by FMF vice president and former Moldova international Radu Rebeja.