Author: Gabriella Bascelli

Levski Sport for All recently organized two impactful Open Days at different schools within their community, demonstrating their commitment to promoting Teq sports and healthy living. The first event took place on April 25, 2024, followed by another in May 2024, collectively engaging 270 participants. These included predominantly children, alongside enthusiastic adults eager to participate in the activities.

Each participant received a participation certificate, fostering a sense of accomplishment and belonging among the children. This gesture highlighted Levski Sport for All’s dedication to recognizing and celebrating the efforts of every individual involved.

The Open Days were strategically held in underprivileged areas of the city, underscoring Levski Sport for All’s mission to reach and positively impact diverse communities. Nutritional wellbeing was a central theme throughout the events, with informative banners, pamphlets distributed to children and parents, and nutritious food and drinks provided. To ensure ongoing education, the schools have prominently displayed these materials, reinforcing the importance of healthy living beyond the event itself.

Levski SFA’s presence at the schools was marked by the participation of President Lusien Velchev, Secretary General Vanina Milanova, Head Coach Ivo Velchev, and four dedicated coaches. Reflecting on the success of the Open Days, Vanina Milanova remarked, “We were thrilled to involve the entire school community, with significant participation from female students. This project embodies key EU priorities that we strive to uphold daily within our club.”

The positive impact of Levski Sport for All’s initiatives extends far beyond the Open Days, fostering community engagement, promoting health awareness, and inspiring future generations through the spirit of Teq sports. As they continue to lead by example, Levski Sport for All remains committed to creating lasting benefits for their community and beyond.

Stay tuned for more updates as we celebrate the ongoing success and impact of Teq Games with Levski Sport for All!

EMCA is proud to announce that our voluntary delegate and advisor, Cristian Fabrizi, has been named the BNYM Brussels Employee of the Year 2023!

“It’s an honor to be recognized for my Middle Office expertise, client appreciation, and leadership skills. I’m grateful to have led a highly successful client event in our new Brussels premises.”
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues for nominating me and to the BNYM Belgium Management Council for selecting me. Your encouragement and support means the world to me. A special shoutout to Gael Nicora, Beatriz Molina, Peter Kasteel, myriam mennes, Ellie Blondeel, and Mieke De Schamphelaere.”

Cristian continues; “I’m also grateful for the guidance and mentorship of my manager, Martin Barron. Thank you for your unwavering support and leadership throughout the years. I want to thank Marnix Zwartbol for his precious guidance and for giving me the opportunity to grow within the BNYM European Bank. Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to my wife, Marta I., for always being a source of inspiration, and to my parents who, unfortunately, have left us too early.”

Congratulations Cristian, we are honoured to have you as part of our team!

During the second day of the EU Sport Forum, EMCA’s President of the Assembly, Vanina Milanova, was asked to be a panelist together with André Seabra, Andreas Paulsen and Michael Omann. The panel concerned lifelong sport which is a concept the European Commission is promoting through active lifestyles to combat the sedentary crisis.

Vanina presented the Erasmus+ “FUNNY” project which was led by Levski Sport for All and implemented in collaboration with Panserraikos and Pontevecchio Bologna, all EMCA club members. Vanina explained, “In line with the topic of the EU Sports Forum today regarding lifelong sport and healthy lifestyles, our project was aimed at the promotion of regular school sporting activity for pre-adolescents aged between 7 and 12 in order to combat early sport abandonment, increase children’s socialization skills, combat juvenile violence and transmit, in general, good examples through sport.”

The President of EMCA Christina Tsiligkiri added, “Attending the EU Sport Forum, I had the honour of representing the European Multisport Club Association (EMCA) and participating in discussions focused on critical issues for sports and society within the European Union. One of the main topics explored was the connection of the European Union’s values with the Olympic Games, aiming to highlight the role of sports as a catalyst for promoting shared ideals and enhancing European identity. Additionally, we discussed the sustainability of sports facilities, focusing on the increasingly important use of technology to improve energy efficiency and resource conservation.

Finally, gender equality was a central topic of our discussions and was thoroughly examined. It is vital to fully integrate the principles of equality in all aspects of sports, from access and participation to recognition and rewards. Active promotion of gender equality in sports can help combat stereotypes and support substantive justice, strengthening sports as a field for everyone, regardless of gender.”

The first day df the EU Sports Forum was held in Liege, Belgium today organised by the European Commission in support of the continuous dialogue with the European and international sport community. It is a central meeting point between sport organisations, representatives of the EU Institutions and Member States exchanging views on the current and future sport policies. The European Multisport Club Association which was endorsed by the European Commission in 2013 was represented by the President Christina Tsiligkiri, Director of Development Bojan Mijatovic and Vanina Milanova former President of EMCA and current President of the Assembly.

In the run up to Paris 2024, this year’s Forum took a look into the connection between EU and Olympic values and focused on some of the most topical issues in the sport sector, such as integrity, sustainability and gender equality. It was interesting to listen to the key speakers in the High Level Panel and the Olympian and Paralympic athletes and learn from their experiences.

On April 15th 2024, EMCA was invited to attend the Sport 4 Impact Conference held in Milan, Italy where the participants addressed a very ambitious and actual topic, “Impact investing in sports along ESG emerging standards”. During the conference the President of EMCA, Christina Tsiligkiri, presented EMCA’s mission and vision which aligns with the ESG objectives. “

“As the President of the European Federation of Multi-Sport Clubs, I am particularly delighted to have participated in the annual symposium Sport 4 Impact, held here in Milan, at the heart of Italy’s and Europe’s business and investment hub. This symposium provided a significant opportunity for EMCA to exchange ideas with businesspeople and investors in the sports sector, discussing the future impacts of these investments.

In an ever-changing environment due to political and social changes, sports and investments in sports can serve as pillars of stability and growth. We believe that strategic investments in sports will continue to yield substantial benefits, not only for athletes and clubs but also for the broader society.

We thank all participants for their active involvement and valuable contributions to this symposium and look forward to next year to continue the discussions and initiatives that we started here.”

Today at the Liceo Scientifico Plinio Seniore in Rome, Italy, S.S. Lazio Teqball hosted the second open day and awareness raising session regarding the project EU Teq Games co-funded by the European Union. The S.S. Lazio Head Coach Giovanni Ieradi and the professional players, taught the students how to play Teqball. Over 150 students were involved in the training session which lasted more than 6 hours and the students demonstrated much potential and skills. S.S. Lazio Teqball has provided the L.S. Plinio with two teqlite tables as well as the tea equipment with which the students can regularly play and practice on. The students have also been invited to the S.S. Lazio Teqball premises and can practice free of charge. The President Andrea Paolini has emphasized the importance of the sustainability of the project and it is for this reason that S.S. Lazio Teqball will be visiting the school on a regular basis to help with the training sessions and have successfully helped 7 physical education teachers to achieve their 1st level coaching certificate, officially recognized by FITEQ (International Federation of Teqball).

Yesterday, Thursday the 12th of October 2023, S.S. Lazio Teqball had their first session in the Liceo Scientifico Plinio Seniore High School where they introduced Teqball and teqsports to the scholars of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth grades as well as the professors, coaches and sports staff. In line with the HealthyLifestyle4All initiative of the European Union, Lazio Teqball also brought a nutritionist to hold a workshop for the students about physical and nutritional well-being. The S.S. Lazio Teqball team instead explained the history and rules of the game. There was much enthusiasm from the students and the next appointment for the practical sessions has been finalized for the 9th of November.

The President of S.S. Lazio Teqball, ing. Andrea Paolini’s statement, “Today we were able to introduce 5 new sports to the students of the L.S. Plinio. Through the project EU Teq Games co-funded by the European Union and in collaboration with Olympiacos SFP, Levski SFA, Aalborg, Feyenoord, HASK Mladost and EMCA, we encourage gender equality as well as the promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyles. The students and teachers were incredibly enthusiastic about this new sport and the possibility of using the table for other sports. We hope to make a positive impact on these students.”