At the initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office, the Georgian Football Federation and the Football Club “Locomotive Tbilisi”, Guram Kashia, a well-known football player, met with adolescents in the village of Kheta in Samegrelo and talked about important issues such as equality, tolerance, non-violent relationships, etc.

Ms. Lela Bakradze, Head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office, Mr. Nika Jgharkava, Vice-President of the Georgian Football Federation, and Mr. Giorgi Kipiani, Technical Director of the Football Club “Locomotive Tbilisi” participated in the meeting, which was led by Mr. Alexander Lortkipanidze, TV presenter and writer.

"The meeting with adolescents was very interesting. It was nice to talk to them about football, equality... Football is for everyone: for adults and for young people, for men and women... Women's football is growing in popularity. In the countries where I have lived and worked - in the Netherlands and the USA - football is very popular among women as well, and I would like to see as many girls as possible playing football in Georgia," - said Mr. Guram Kashia after the meeting.

The event was held in the village of Kheta, at the stadium, which was restored as part of the rural sports pitches rehabilitation project implemented by the Georgian Football Federation in 2020. The meeting was attended by the football team members of different age-groups of the local football school in the village of Kheta and by members of women’s football team of the Football Club Kolkheti Khobi.

"Football is a really special sport, which has a lot of followers and, most importantly, it helps build team spirit. Therefore, I find it quite reasonable to discuss and look at issues of equality through the lens of football. It should be noted that today women's football is gaining popularity in Georgia, which helps break certain stereotypes - there is no sport in which girls cannot participate. I think this is a very clear example of how we can gradually break existing stereotypes, and by doing so contribute to the development of our country and to the wellbeing of our future generation"- said Ms Lela Bakradze, Head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)  Georgia Country Office.

"Today we, together with the representatives of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office, are in the village of Kheta. This is one of the strongest football hubs in Samegrelo region. We held discussions on various issues that are crucial not only for the professional development of football players, but also for the personal development of adolescents and for the important task of raising the next generation” – said Ms Nika Jgharkava, Vice President of the Georgian Football Federation.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Georgian Football Federation and the Football Club “Locomotive Tbilisi”, have been working together for many years, with football players actively participating in the UNFPA activities aimed at promoting the idea of gender equality and a healthy lifestyle, and encouraging male engagement in the process of achieving gender equality, within the framework of the “MenCare” campaign.  

The partnership aims at encouraging the involvement of girls in football, promoting equality in sports, and creating equal opportunities for adolescent girls and boys; as well as at providing relevant training for coaches, referees and players, using the techniques introduced and proven by The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through raising their gender sensitivity and awareness of issues related to gender equality.