Latvia's festival of football

The Latvian Football Federation (LFF) has arranged a special four-day long festival of football for youngsters across the country for UEFA Grassroots Day, under the banner of 'Football Days 2012'.

Taking place from 16-19 May, it will be the third year that the project has been held. Within the framework of the initiative, youngsters and coaches from all municipalities across Latvia, whether they are involved in a football club or not, have been invited to take part with their own activities. Each organised event can then be registered on a specially created website – www.futboladiena.lv – after which they will also receive technical support from the LFF.

"Considering its global significance in society, football is much more than just a game, it also carries out an important social function," LFF grassroots manager Aivars Vaivods told UEFA.com. "We are convinced that, on the whole, the Football Days not only unite society with a common idea, but also serve as a vital impulse in the development and popularisation of our kind of sport.

"We hope that in time this celebration will become a regular tradition that has a particular place in the calendar of events and that children look forward to."

Also part of Latvia's Grassroots Day celebrations will be a competition organised in collaboration with nursery schools across the country. The challenge for the youngsters is to create a drawing around the topic 'football and me'. The creators of the best work will be rewarded with special gifts from the LFF while also being shown at an exhibition to be arranged for next year's Football Days festival.