Long-term grassroots project launched in Belarus

The Football Federation of Belarus (BFF) has held discussions with young footballers and their parents as part of a new Lesson in Football project.

The scheme, aimed at developing grassroots football in schools around the country as a long-term initiative, has taken BFF representatives on visits to each of Belarus's six regions as well as the capital Minsk.

They spoke with local authorities and regional federations and met young footballers from specialist sports schools, together with their parents, to talk about the problems and issues they face. The information gathered will be used to evaluate and further develop the project.

The parents took an active role in what was a productive dialogue, while the youngsters were delighted to participate in football masterclasses organised for them. Players in Gantsevichi, a town in the region of Brest, had a further bonus with the unveiling of an artificial turf mini-pitch. BFF vice-president Mikhail Vergeenko cut the ribbon at the inauguration.

Other youngsters had the opportunity to attend a question-and-answer session with Bernd Stange, head coach of the Belarusian national team, before the country's 1-0 win against France in their opening UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier. Those involved were students from a Minsk football academy who had won the Minsk schools football league. They received useful advice from Stange, learning that they will have to work very hard to reach the top.

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