The Association of Bulgarian Fan Clubs of Foreign Teams in Bulgaria has held a football tournament in Sofia to support local deaf and hard of hearing children and their parents.

The event - the eighth tournament hosted by the Association - was held in partnership with the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) as well as Sport Sofia 2000 EAD, Sofia Municipality, VTA Security Service and the Comet Children's Football Academy.

A total of 16 teams took part in the tournament, representing the foreign club sides that they support. The Final was won by a team of Chelsea supporters, who beat a team of Juventus supporters to win the tournament.

The victorious side was presented with the trophy by the Bulgarian Minister of Youth and Sport, Krasen Kralev, who said, "Football is a phenomenon because it brings together many people for many important causes".

Kravlev was joined for the medal ceremony by the chairman of the BFU Region Council in Sofia, Valentin Chakarov, and the President of the Association of Bulgarian Fanclubs, Elena Todorovska.

"It is very enjoyable when you see fans of various foreign teams embracing the idea and helping deaf and hard of hearing children. The tournament has a future and can be developed in the coming years, because such noble initiatives should be encouraged by the municipalities and the government", Mr Kravlev added.

The tournament received organisational and financial support from the BFU, as part of its Fan Dialogue 2020 and Beyond project funded by the UEFA HatTrick programme.

To raise further funds, the Bulgarian national team donated a signed shirt to be auctioned with other items at the tournament.

Bulgarian international defender Vasil Bozhikov said, "We hope the shirt will be sold at as high as possible price to help this noble cause. When there is a need, we as players will always respond".

Around €7000 was raised by the auction, with funds to be provided to the families of deaf and hard of hearing children in Bulgaria.

Congratulations to everyone involved with the tournament and auction!



Published 21/11/2017