Playing together, making a great pass, being part of a team where everyone matters. In football, goals decide who wins, but the game is about much more than the final score. It is about friendship, determination and knowing that everyone has a place on the pitch. That spirit was on full display at the sixth national football finals of Hungary’s Catching-up Settlements Programme (FeTe), where around 700 young players from 60 teams came together in Miskolc.
This year’s tournament brought an exciting first, with girls’ teams joining the competition. Seven teams competed in the 12–14 age group, having also had the chance to prepare at a multi-day summer sports camp. The event also hosted the finals of the National Football Championship for Children’s Homes.
By the end of the day, the young players were tired but still eagerly awaiting the results. Kömlő took first place in the girls’ competition, while Prügy won the under-10 category, Szalonna the under-12s, Rohod the under-14s and Rimóc the under-16s. Mátészalka came out on top in the competition for children’s homes. The prizes were presented by the organisers and Péter Szabadhegy, President of the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, who had a special message for the players: “You are all winners! Thank you for being here!” His words were meant for everyone, not just those who took home a trophy. Simply taking part, giving it their best and working together as a team were all achievements worth celebrating.
Behind the tournament is a much wider community effort that supports children and families living in disadvantaged communities throughout Hungary. The EFOP Plusz-7.1.1-24 project, part of the Catching-up Settlements Programme, brings together 28 partner organisations to support people living in the country’s 300 most disadvantaged settlements. Its aim is to improve living conditions, reduce the effects of poverty and give children better opportunities for the future. This work is carried out through a combination of local social services and community activities, based on the Jelenlét (Presence) approach and a network of local community support centres known as Jelenlét Points (Presence Points: local community support centres).
With a budget of approximately HUF 70.4 billion, the project is being implemented under EFOP Plusz during the European Union’s 2021–2027 funding period. It is also one of Hungary’s strategically important development projects, known as Pillars. These flagship initiatives play a key role in achieving the objectives of EU-funded programmes, supporting their successful delivery and ensuring that EU funding is used effectively and transparently.
The Miskolc finals were made possible by the efforts of 40 volunteers from the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta. The Hungarian Football Federation, working together with the Professional Footballers’ Association, provided the referees and gifts for the participants. DVTK football club made its training centre available free of charge, while the Maltese Ambulance Service ensured medical support throughout the event. Staff from the Jelenlét Points and the teams’ coaches also played an important part in helping the young players prepare for the competition.
But the real impact of the day went far beyond the football pitch. Only one team in each category could lift the trophy, but every young player had something to take home: greater confidence, shared memories and the knowledge that working hard for their own dreams, and those of others, is always worth the effort.
