At the initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office, the NGO “Care Together”, and the Georgian Football Federation (GFF), a football tournament with the participation of fathers and children - “Fathers’ Cup” was held at Varketili Football Centre, within the framework of “MenCare” Campaign on October 2.
The tournament was opened by the representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Turkey and the director of the UNFPA Georgia Country Office Hassan Mohtasham, the Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia Ulrik Tideström and the President of the Georgian Football Federation (GFF) Levan Kobiashvili.
“Fathers’ Cup” was established in 2017, as part of the partnership between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Georgian Football Federation (GFF), and the interest of fathers and children in participating in the event has been growing year by year. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the tournament could not be held in 2020 or 2021. In 2022, after a two-year hiatus, the “Fathers’ Cup” will host teams again.
This year, 24 teams participated in the “Fathers’ Cup”. Each team consists of minimum four and maximum six participants aged 8-12: two girls and two boys (a team may have a reserve team of two players), and the team coach must be the father of one of the team members.
Participation in the tournament is free. All participants of the “Fathers’ Cup” tournament received specially designed T-shirts, and the three winning teams received vouchers for a children's entertainment centre. The champion of the tournament received a special trophy.
The purpose of the event is to repeatedly emphasize the importance of fathers’ involvement in their children’s lives as well as the importance of equal participation of boys and girls in sports.
The event is being held within the framework of the joint UN programme “For Gender Equality”, which is implemented with the financial support of the Government of Sweden.
Before the tournament UNFPA renewed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgian Football Federation (GFF) for the third time. The renewed MoU was signed by Hassan Mohtashami and Levan Kobiashvili. The renewal of the MoU once again proves the importance of our long-term partnership and cooperation.
About the “ManCare” Campaign:
The “MenCare” Campaign is being implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office and the NGO “Care Together”, with the financial support of the Government of Sweden and the European Union.
“MenCare” Campaign aims at promoting men’s involvement as caring fathers and partners in ensuring health and well-being of families, to encourage men to support gender equality and social and economic participation of women and thus contribute to community empowerment. “MenCare” Campaign is open to all men, who share the idea of the Campaign.
