The event was organized by Special Olympics Slovenia in collaboration with the Football Association of Slovenia (NZS). UEFA’s Director of Social and Environmental Sustainability, Michele Uva, and NZS Secretary General Martin Koželj spoke to delegates about the importance of inclusive football.
Reaching More Football Players
“At the first conferences, we focused primarily on building a football network and developing collaboration models. Later, we turned our attention to training players with intellectual disabilities, expanding opportunities for men and women at all ability levels, inclusive projects, grassroots initiatives (such as European Football Week), health-related topics, or youth football,” explained Mirek Krogulec, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE) Vice President for Sports, discussing the growth of Special Olympics football. “This year at Brdo, we explored ways to involve more players, as the pandemic and geopolitical situations in Europe have led to many individuals to withdraw from Special Olympics football. Certainly, SOEE aligns its football initiatives with the priorities and trends included in UEFA and its member associations’ SES strategies through 2030.”
The conference also highlighted nearly 20 years of collaboration between NZS and Special Olympics Slovenia. NZS has facilitated numerous opportunities for the development of Special Olympics football in Slovenia and, alongside the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), Romanian Football Federation, and English Football Association, has received special recognition for its cooperation with Special Olympics as “Being Leader of Inclusion in European Football.” “Without a doubt, long-term collaboration with national football federations and clubs contributes to the sustainable growth of football across more than 50 European Special Olympics programs,” emphasized Krogulec.
“Special Olympics and UEFA: long-standing and successful partners in the field of disability sports”
Athletes from Special Olympics Slovenia showcased their skills during a training session led by U21 FAI Manager Jim Crawford. “As part of our ‘Football for All Abilities’ policy, we take responsibility for ensuring that football environments and infrastructures are accessible to everyone who wishes to participate, welcoming players and fans of all abilities,” said Michele Uva, UEFA’s Director. “Together with our national associations and expert organizations like Special Olympics—UEFA’s long-standing and successful partner in the field of disability sports—we are working to ensure that more individuals with special needs find their rightful place in the football community.”
The conference at Brdo emphasized attracting more youth to Special Olympics through an inclusive schools-based approach, expanding football initiatives for girls and women, organizing well-structured, sustainable grassroots events for all abilities, and launching engaging pan-European campaigns. These include celebrating 25 years of collaboration with UEFA and European Football Week. “In 2024, 41 national football associations across Europe will collaborate with Special Olympics on a local, national, or international level. Together with UEFA’s social and environmental sustainability team and leaders from its 55 member associations, we can reach more players and establish a sustainable framework to deliver quality services for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities,” added Krogulec.
In 2026, the Special Olympics Slovenia Football League will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Considering that Special Olympics Slovenia has only been operating for a few years more than that, this will mark a significant milestone.
