The capital hosts the famous “Legends Cup”
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The fifteenth anniversary International Football Tournament “Legends Cup” named after Konstantin Eremenko was held on February 11-12, 2023 at the Moscow arena of the Megasport Sports Palace on Khodynka. 6 teams took part in it: Legends of Russia, Team of Stars, Legends of Europe, Legends of Africa, Legends of Latin countries, Legends of the CIS (Union of Independent States).
World and continental champions, Olympionists, winners of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup, as well as the Club World Cup, entered the football field. Moscow applauded such famous masters as Edmilson, Maicon, Giovanni, Dmitry Alenichev, Yegor Titov, Fernando Meira, Yuri Zhirkov, Elver Rakhimich, Yorgos Karagounis, Alexander Gleb, Eric Abidal – all these stars delighted the fans with an uncompromising spectacular game.
The first drawing of the “Legends Cup” took place in 2009 and immediately attracted the attention of fans and the media. Since 2011, the tournament has been named after the mini-football king Konstantin Eremenko, who suddenly passed away in March 2010. At the same time, the “Legends Cup” received the support of the Moscow Government and in 2014 the tournament received the status of a traditional tournament in the calendar of sports events in the city. The organization and holding of the “Legends Cup” is carried out by the Government of Moscow and the “Newsport Sports Agency” with the support of the Russian Football Union.
World football megastars came to Moscow for the Legends Cup: Italians Francesco Totti, Paolo Maldini, Genarro Gattuso, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, Brazilians Cafu and Rivaldo, Spaniards Fernando Marientes, José Amavisca and Gaiska Mendietta, Dutchmen Ronald and Frank de Boer, Rafael van der Wart, Javier Saviola of Argentina, Hristo Stoichkov of Bulgaria, Jari Litmanen of Finland, Jens Lehmann and Kevin Kuranyi of Germany, Vincent Candela of France… ball “-1987 Dutchman Ruud Gullit, world champion in 1994 Brazilian Bebeto, the best goalkeeper in the world in 1988 Rinat Dasaev, the most titled coach of Russia Oleg Romantsev.
One of the days of the competition is traditionally declared Children’s Day and given to young footballers, which corresponds to one of the fundamental mottos of the tournament – “Continuity of generations”. Famous veterans took to the field together with students of football academies of Moscow clubs. Egor Titov, midfielder of the Moscow club Spartak, ex-captain of the Russian national football team, spoke about the importance of interaction between professional football players and young athletes and noted: “Children’s football in Russia is developing from year to year, becoming a bright phenomenon in the sports life of our country. We try to support young and talented football players, open new training grounds all over the country, and, of course, draw attention to the rising champions in every possible way. And we all rejoice together when our children get the opportunity to play together with idols, legendary football players from all over the world, on the same field. Such events give a powerful round of development of youth sports”.
The format of the tournament for young football players called “Our Future” is aimed at maintaining the connection between the younger generation and the generation of football players who brought glory to domestic football, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle, instilling a love for football through the personal example of outstanding veterans.”
As part of the children’s competitions, for the first time, guys with Down syndrome played at the “Legends Cup”, who played under the guidance of foreign and domestic football legends. Together with professional football players, the wards of the Downside Up and Love Syndrome charitable foundations will take to the field. Four combined teams from Moscow and other regions of Russia will take part in the tournament. Alexey Smertin, Head of the RFU’s Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility Project Office, ex-captain of the Russian national football team, winner of the Russian Cup and the French League Cup, champion of England and winner of the FA Cup spoke about the importance of inclusive tournaments for society: “Playing football is becoming more accessible for people with disabilities and disabilities. It is gratifying to see how the Legends Cup is also opening doors for young players with Down Syndrome. The Russian Football Union recently held a major event jointly with the Love Syndrome Foundation for the Foundation’s wards, and now it’s safe to say that the participation of teams with Down Syndrome in the Legends Cup, together with professional football players, will take football for such guys to a whole new level!”
Tamerlan Kuriev, founder and general manager of the Legends Cup international tournament, on the participation of children with Down syndrome: “At this anniversary Legends Cup, we will have a children’s day with an expanded program that includes two full-fledged children’s football tournaments. The first – with the participation of guys from the football academies of Moscow clubs and their veterans, the second – children with Down syndrome and football stars. It is very important for us not only to draw public attention to these guys, but also to give them the opportunity to fulfill their dream – to enter the field with legendary football players. I would like to remind you of the fundamental motto of the “Legends Cup” from the moment of its foundation – “Continuity of generations”.
After an interesting, exciting and very emotional game, the winners were determined: 1st place – the team “Moscow-1”, 2nd place – a team from the Republic of Bashkortostan, 3rd place – the team “Moscow-2”, 4th place – the team of the Bryansk region. Overall, everyone wins!
Yulia Lavricheva, General Director of the Love Syndrome charity foundation, shared her expectations from the Legends Cup 2023 tournament:
“Participation in the Legends Cup is a unique opportunity for children with Down syndrome not only to touch the legends of their favorite sport, but also to learn from professionals in their field. Such inclusive projects are another way to engage the public and show even more people that with the right and timely support, children with Down syndrome can become champions.”
For a person with Down syndrome, sports, and especially football, are more than a game. This is a way to learn how to control your body, interact with others, be collected and attentive. On the football field, the guys find new friends, learn to work in a team, take the initiative, prepare for an independent life in society. Football tournaments, especially interaction with professional players, are a great way to rehabilitate, socialize children and draw attention to the needs and characteristics of people with Down syndrome.
Our reference: the Love Syndrome charity foundation is engaged in educating the population about people with Down syndrome. As a result of the foundation’s work, we see a world where many different opportunities are open for people with Down syndrome. They grow up in loving families, receive education and work, and society treats them with tolerance. These children go in for sports, develop their creative abilities and participate in the life of the country in which government programs are being implemented to support them. The Foundation has been operating since 2016 and brings together more than 20 thousand like-minded people who help people with Down syndrome. The strategic partner of the Love Syndrome Foundation is the Downside Up Foundation.
Mikhail Kovalyov.
Photo of the author.
Message The capital hosts the famous “Legends Cup” first appeared on Moscow truth.
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