Tag: News

On February 15-17, 2025, The first in person meeting of the “GoldAge” project – MULTISPORT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR ADULTS 60+ – was held in Zagreb, Croatia.
GoldAge is an 18-month program, co-financed by the Erasmus program of the European Commission, aimed at sport and older people. The activities are implemented by 3 members of EMCA with the lead “Levski-Sport for All” in partnership with “HAŠK – Mladost” (Croatia) and the Lazio Foundation (Italy).

The host of the meeting was HAŠK Mladost , an established name in the Croatian sports system.
The coordinators from Association “Levski-Sport for all” , “HASK – Mladost” and the Fondazione S.S. Lazio 1900 made a general overview of the project, defining the main steps, approving the distribution of tasks and approving a schedule for their implementation. The communication strategy, good practices in training older people and what materials will be needed for training of trainers were also discussed.

A pleasant surprise from the hosts was the visit to the town of Samobor, near Zagreb. The medieval town with a rich cultural and historical heritage also has an extensive sports calendar. A favorite place for the capital’s residents for trekking and relaxation.

All news about the project can be found on the official project page GoldAge.EU

Ágnes Keleti (née Klein; 9 January 1921 – 2 January 2025) was a Hungarian and Israeli artistic gymnast and coach who won multiple Olympic medals. She was the oldest living Olympic champion and medallist, reaching her 100th birthday on 9 January 2021. While representing Hungary at the Summer Olympics, she won 10 Olympic medals including five gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals, and is considered to be one of the most successful Jewish Olympic athletes of all time. She was the most successful athlete at the 1956 Summer Olympics. In 1957, Keleti immigrated to Israel, where she worked as a coach, eventually returning to her native Hungary in 2015 at the age of 94. In 2017, she was awarded the Israel Prize in sports.

Agnes Keleti was born in Budapest, Hungary. She began to train in gymnastics at the age of 4, and by 16 was the Hungarian National Champion in gymnastics. Over the course of her career, between 1937 and 1956, she won the Championships title ten times.^[7][11][12] She changed her surname to Keleti to make it more Hungarian-sounding. Having survived the Holocaust, after the WWII she continued in achieving 5 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze Olympic medals at the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games (Helsinki and Melbourne), becoming one of the most decorated Olympic athletes of all times. At the age of 35, Keleti became the oldest female gymnast ever to win gold. The Soviet Union invaded Hungary during the 1956 Olympics. Keleti, along with 44 other athletes from the Hungarian delegation, decided to remain in Australia and received political asylum. She became a coach for Australian gymnasts.

Keleti has been the oldest Hungarian Olympic champion since Sándor Tarics died on 21 May 2016. She became the oldest living Olympic champion when Lydia Wideman died on 13 April 2019. She celebrated her 100th birthday in January 2021. She became the longest-lived Olympic champion ever on 7 August 2023, breaking the record previously held by Tarics.

Keleti died in Budapest on 2 January 2025, at the age of 103, a week before her 104th birthday, after being hospitalised with pneumonia in the previous week.

The life of Agnes Keleti symbolises the turbulent history of Europe of the 20th century and EMCA humbly commemorates the exceptional life and accomplishments of her sport career in the most respectful manner.

Agnes Keleti performing the splits in 1949. Photograph: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum/Facebook

The European project PACE (Physical Activity Connecting Generations) was successfully completed, bringing together three of Europe’s most active multi-sport clubs: Olympiacos, Lazio Teqball, and Levski Sport for All. Under the auspices of the European Union and in collaboration with the European Multi-Sport Club Association (EMCA), the project aimed to promote intergenerational unity through physical activity.

PACE demonstrated how sports can effectively serve as a tool for enhancing social cohesion and bridging generational gaps. Through targeted activities and specialized training programs, participants were able to bring families closer together, showcasing the value of shared athletic experiences. Trained coaches played a vital role by organizing family-oriented sports events, offering unique moments for parents and children to connect.

The conclusion of the project was celebrated with a special event in Sofia, Bulgaria, where the collaborating partners presented the results and positive impact of the activities. Representatives from the participating clubs emphasized the importance of sports as a vehicle for fostering intergenerational bonds and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing such initiatives.

EMCA extends its heartfelt thanks to the European Union for supporting the project, as well as to all those who contributed to the uniqueness and success of PACE. EMCA members, including Olympiacos, Lazio Teqball, and Levski Sport for All, remain dedicated to the values of social cohesion and inclusion, enthusiastically planning their next steps to strengthen the role of multi-sport clubs in European society.

“Soccer for All” – Football without restrictions in “Levski-Sport for All”, “Lazio” and “Panseraikos”
“Levski-Sport for All”, “Lazio” and “Panseraikos” organized a training program for football without restrictions “Soccer for All”.

“FOOTBALL FOR ALL” is a sport suitable for all ages, a special experience that can include both children and adults, men and women, skilled and less skilled players, without the need for any specific level of motor skills.

Social football rules are not only those that are usually determined by the referee during a match. In fact, according to a broader definition of the term and its meaning, social football rules should be seen as educational actions aimed at social integration, respect for values such as friendship, respect for others, and the ability to accept the final result by emphasizing the positive aspects of both defeat and victory. The role of the coach is supportive and guiding. He distributes the teams in a balanced way so that the relative weight of all teams is equal. He directs the more skilled participants to help those with more limited opportunities to feel valuable on the field.

Each partner has the freedom to choose the format and participants in the initiative. “Levski-Sport for All” has the greatest experience because years ago it participated in the development of a scientific study on the benefits and mechanisms for the development of “social football”. For this reason, it chose to include two of its smaller members, FC “Ruse” and FC “Karia” – Shabla. Families, friends, and neighbors of children training in the clubs were invited to join the activities. “Panseraikos”, just like “Levski”, is oriented towards those training in the club, by extending an open invitation to the citizens of Serres.

“Lazio” focuses on providing opportunities for children and adults with physical, motor, and intellectual disabilities

Within the framework of the one-year initiative, the partners developed a manual to assist managers and coaches in organizing “Football for All” activities and trained their team. They also organized more than 40 training sessions in the three countries with the participation of more than 180 people.

The “Soccer for All” project ended with an exciting final event on December 14th at the Cinecittà Sports Club Bettini in Rome to celebrate social inclusion through football.

The protagonist of the day was the team “The Hare and the Tortoise”, a name chosen to highlight the determination, resilience, and respect for the time and skills of each player. The team showed a great spirit of collaboration and inclusion, fully embodying the values promoted by the project.

During the event, the young people participated in a symbolic match that highlighted the value of sport as a tool for social integration, showing their motivation, determination, and sporting abilities. At the end of the game, all participants from the “Hare and the Tortoise” team were rewarded for their dedication and team spirit shown during the project.

Certificates of participation were awarded by the Chairman of the Levski-Sport for All Association, Lucien Velchev, and the President of the Lazio Foundation, Cristina Medzaroma, and wife of Claudio Lotito, the owner of the football club.

Medzaroma also received a special gift, the limited edition badge of “Levski-Sport for All”.

The Secretary General of “Levski-Sport for All”, Vanina Milanova, project coordinator and president of the assembly of the European Multi-Sports Clubs Association (EMCA), and Gabriella Bascelli, Secretary General of the Lazio Foundation and member of the EMCA Board of Directors, welcomed the participants on behalf of the 30 largest European clubs.

The project activities are funded by the Erasmus program of the European Union.

The European Multisport Club Association (EMCA) actively participated in the annual conference of the Fédération Française des Clubs Omnisports (FFCO), held in Paris. This event is a flagship gathering for multisport in France, bringing together key stakeholders, organizations, and club representatives to promote sports as a tool for social cohesion and development.

This year’s conference, organized by the FFCO, was dedicated to enhancing sports accessibility for all, regardless of age, gender, or social background. EMCA’s presence, led by its President Christina Tsiligkiri and other high-ranking officials, highlighted the importance of European collaboration in advancing multisport at an international level.

The event also welcomed Vanina Milanova, Presidnet of the Asembly of EMCA, and Polat Bengiserp, President of TaqSport, a member of the European Multisport Club Association. Also with them was Lusien Velchen, President of Levski Sport for All, who are also a member of EMCA. Their participation reinforced EMCA’s commitment to fostering strong relationships with organizations and clubs across Europe.

The conference provided an excellent platform for the exchange of ideas and best practices. Discussions focused on the significance of multisport as a means to promote social inclusion, equality, and sustainable development. Additionally, the role of sports in creating innovative solutions to address contemporary social and cultural challenges was underscored.

Special attention was given to FFCO’s initiatives, which serve as a model for organizing multisport clubs and managing programs tailored to diverse social groups. FFCO President Gerard Pierraeu-Bezouille and Vice President Dennis Lafoux warmly welcomed the EMCA delegation, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in promoting sports as a driver of social change.

Through its participation in the conference, EMCA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the values of multisport at local, national, and international levels. With unwavering dedication to the principles of sustainability, innovation, and inclusion, the federation continues to amplify the voice of sports across Europe.

EMCA expressed its gratitude to the Fédération Française des Clubs Omnisports (FFCO) for their outstanding hospitality and productive discussions. The connections forged during the event lay a solid foundation for future collaborations, further strengthening sports as a catalyst for social and cultural development.

The first Erasmus+ Sport Catalunya meeting was successfully held in Barcelona, Spain, organized by the Sant Cugat Creix team, a member of the European Multisport Clubs Association (EMCA). This event marked a milestone for the Erasmus+ Sport program as it celebrated its 10th anniversary.

EMCA was represented by its President, Christina Tsiligkiri, who highlighted the significance of sports as a tool for fostering collaboration, development, and international visibility. During the meeting, 18 innovative projects were showcased, demonstrating the power of sports to unite different stakeholders, enhance social cohesion, and promote European values.

The event was attended by distinguished figures, including the President of Sant Cugat Creix, Miguel Martinez, the Mayor of the city, Josep Maria Valles, and the representative of the European Commission in Barcelona, Laura Rahola.

EMCA continues to expand its reach and influence across Europe. In recent years, the federation has developed new strategic partnerships, positioning multisport as a key pillar of social development.

EMCA’s participation in the Erasmus+ Sport Catalunya meeting represents another step forward in strengthening partnerships and promoting its vision for sports as a unifying and inspiring force.

The International Teqball Tournament was completed with great success at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, Piraeus Greece, gathering top athletes from six European countries. The tournament, held under the auspices of the Municipality of Piraeus and organized by Olympiacos, as part of the European Erasmus+ program, offered a unique spectacle and highlighted the growing momentum of the sport of Teqball at the European level.

In the final matches, Lazio’s team claimed first place in both singles and doubles, while the Hask team won in the mixed doubles category. The award ceremony for the winners took place in the presence of representatives from sports authorities, the Municipality of Piraeus, and the organizing committee.

The International Teqball Tournament strengthened the bonds of cooperation between the participating countries, confirming the European Union’s strong commitment to promoting sports and the values of cooperation, solidarity, and fair play. The participation of athletes from various European countries showcased the international dimension of the tournament and its significance for the development of Teqball in Europe.

The Erasmus+ program and the support of the Municipality of Piraeus were crucial to the success of this event, laying the foundations for future initiatives and collaborations in the field of sports.