The boys from SOS Children's Villages Sarajevo emerged victorious at the 9th World Football Championship for Children in Care, held in Warsaw. Competing against 24 countries, the Bosnian team clinched the title by defeating Poland in the final, winning on penalties.

“The team consists of ten outstanding young men who are part of the SOS Children's Villages Sarajevo program. Some are from direct care, while others are participants in our youth empowerment projects,” said Malik Garibija, the director of SOS Children's Villages BiH, who, along with staff, children, and youth, welcomed the champions back home.

Garibija emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “These young men have represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the best possible way. Most importantly, they have shown themselves and other young people in BiH, especially those in care, that with hard work and dedication, they can realize their potential and become champions in whatever they choose to pursue.”

The idea for this tournament originated nine years ago in Poland, the host of the European Football Championship, and has since become a tradition under the banner “Hope for Mundial.”

“Hope for Mundial does fantastic work, bringing together more than 250 competitors and teams from 24 countries this year. These are organizations and institutions working with children and youth without parental care, those at risk, and those in empowerment programs. The entire tournament was broadcast live on TV and online, with over 30,000 people watching the final match online. The games were played at Legia Warsaw's stadium, and the final was officiated by a referee who has previously officiated the World Cup final and the Champions League final,” explained Adnan Alikadic, director of the SOS program in Sarajevo.

Alikadic also noted that the coach of the Bosnian team, Emir Pirić, is a former participant of the SOS Children's Villages program and once competed in this tournament as a player. “Besides being a successful young entrepreneur, he has a great passion for sports,” Alikadic added.

SOS Children's Villages BiH has expressed a desire for Bosnia and Herzegovina to host the championship next year and announced plans to secure the competition.