«Welcome Through Football» Program

Apollon FC with great pleasure and pride participated in the program “Welcome Through Football” of the EFDN (European Football Development Network) in which our team participated along with four other great European teams (Werder Bremen, Ghent, Everton and Emmen).

Apollon Limassol was selected by the European Football Development Network to participate in the European Union program, which aims to host and adapt refugees and more specifically young children in our society through football.

The “Welcome Through Football” program, in addition to the adaptation and hospitality of refugees, aimed to create a team spirit and strengthen the personality of children, create a positive environment for children in our society, as well as promote ” Fair play”.

Following the guidelines of the European Union and the EFDN organization, our team created a four-month plan (July – October) for the development of the program with the main goal of offering joy and smiles to children who do not have the opportunity to enjoy the essential and important things in life and to live and feel the magic of the most popular sport on the planet. The football!

In collaboration with Agios Ioannis Eleimon Foundation and along with the organization Hope For Children, our team created a football team which was staffed by 20 young refugee boys and girls from 7 to 18 years old who live permanently in our city.

The program started in July 2019 and lasted four months. During this time, twelve sessions were held consisting of two parts. The first part included training seminars and the second football training.