Touch the Goal: Inclusive football event brings seven schools together in Skopje

An inclusive football day titled "Touch the Goal – Football for Every Child" brought together pupils with typical and atypical development from seven schools in and around Skopje on October 26, 2026. The event was organized by the Primary School with Resource Center "Idnina" in Skopje with backing from the Football Federation of North Macedonia and the UEFA Foundation for Children.

The programme used simple, joint football activities to underline how sport can break down barriers, build peer support and create team spirit. Organisers said the drills and small matches were designed so every child could take part, cooperate and form new friendships.

Schools, medals and the message

Participants came from seven schools in Skopje, Kumanovo and Kratovo. The delegations included pupils, teachers and educational assistants who worked together throughout the day:

• OOU "Zhivko Brajkovski" – Butel
• OOU "Kocho Racin" – Petrovec
• OOU "Kocho Racin" – Kratovo
• OOU "Imri Elezi" – Čair
• OOU "Vasil Glavinov" – Čair
• OOU "Kiro Gligorov" – Centar
• OURC "Idnina" – Skopje

Loreta Andreevska, director of the Primary School with Resource Center "Idnina", framed the project as more than sport and highlighted its social aims. She also thanked the Football Federation and the UEFA Foundation for Children for their support and acknowledged the contribution of the participating schools and staff.

"We believed that football can be much more than a sport. Through play, children most naturally learn to respect each other, to help one another, to encourage each other and to be part of a team. For us, this is not just a football match, but an opportunity to show that inclusion is not only something we talk about, but something we create together through participation, mutual support and acceptance," Andreevska said.

Irena Bakrevska Miloshevska, manager for social sustainability at the Football Federation of North Macedonia, underlined the federation's commitment to equality of opportunity and praised the project's potential to open new sporting and social spaces for children.

"We are very happy to be here together with you today, and at the same time proud that the Football Federation of North Macedonia and the UEFA Foundation for Children supported this project, which opens more opportunities for children to play football, socialize and share moments together. We believe that football is at its best when everyone has the chance to participate, to be accepted and to feel like part of the team. Only when we give every child the opportunity to take part are we all winners," Bakrevska Miloshevska said.

As a token of participation and commitment, all pupils received medals. Organisers emphasised, however, that the principal reward of the day was the shared experience: new friendships, laughter and the chance for every child to belong on the pitch.

Photo: press material from the event