Today in Mogila, Bitola region, the second football pitch in Macedonia built as part of the global „FIFA Arena“ project was officially opened, an initiative of FIFA aimed at developing grassroots football and creating better conditions for children and young people.
The opening of the new pitch was attended by the Secretary General of the Football Federation of Macedonia, Leonid Jandreoski, Macedonian football legends Nikolche Noveski and Gjorgji Hristov, the Mayor of the Municipality of Mogila, Draganchо Sabotkovski, representatives of the local government, as well as the municipality’s youngest residents and footballers.
Following the pitch in Bosilovo, Mogila is the second municipality in Macedonia to receive a modern football pitch through the „FIFA Arena“ project. The new facility will be available to local football schools, children and young people from the municipality, as well as for activities במסגרת the „Football in Schools“ project.
In his address, FFM Secretary General Leonid Jandreoski stressed that the construction of new pitches is a direct investment in the future of Macedonian football and an opportunity for more children to experience football as part of their everyday lives.
"Every new pitch means a new opportunity for a child. An opportunity to play sport, socialise, learn what being part of a team means and take their first football steps in safe, high-quality conditions. That is precisely why „FIFA Arena“ is much more than an infrastructure project, it is an investment in children and in the future of our football“,” said Jandreoski.
He expressed his gratitude to FIFA for its support and vision in creating new opportunities for children around the world through the „FIFA Arena“ project, stressing that FFM remains committed to developing infrastructure and grassroots football in all parts of Macedonia.
"Our goal is for football to be accessible to every child, regardless of whether they live in a big city or a small municipality. Bosilovo was the beginning, today it is Mogila, and our work continues. With every new pitch, we create another place where children can grow with football and through football“, Jandreoski added.
The presence of Macedonian football figures Nikolche Noveski and Gjorgji Hristov further enriched the modest ceremony, sending a message that the road to the biggest football stages begins precisely on pitches like these and in local communities.
„FIFA Arena“ is a global FIFA initiative aimed at building 1,000 new football pitches around the world, with a particular focus on children and young people from communities where access to sports infrastructure is limited.
"This is a beautiful day for our municipality, and especially for our children. I would like to sincerely thank the Football Federation of Macedonia, President Masar Omeragić and Secretary General Leonid Jandreoski for their support and for making Mogila part of this important initiative. The new pitch is an investment that will remain for future generations and enable our children to play sport, socialise and develop their football talents. I believe that the most beautiful sporting stories begin precisely in places like this. Thank you for recognising Mogila and for working together to create better conditions for our youngest residents“,” said the Mayor of Mogila, Draganchо Sabotkovski.
Mogila gained a new place for football today. For the youngest residents, this means a new place to play, socialise and develop, as well as the possibility that one day a new football story may begin right here.
