The Little Winners of the Dream Championship

Young soccer players attending the Hungarian Interchurch Aid's centers in northern and southern Hungary, children living in disadvantaged communities, competed for the championship title at the Ferencváros soccer club's sports center in Budapest after several months of training and competition. 

The soccer program run by Provident Financial Ltd. and the Hungarian Interchurch Aid to promote equal opportunities made playing sports together a central part of the lives of children living in difficult circumstances during the summer, children who are used to having their dreams pushed into the background in their everyday lives. However, during training, they learned to believe in each other and themselves, and played with passion and perseverance in the tournament matches to reach the final in Budapest and show that they too are capable of great things.

After several months of preparation and qualifying matches, on September 26, the winners of the northern and southern regional finals, Vizsoly and Kastélyosdombó in the 8-10 age group and Pere and Rinyaszentkirály in the 11-14 age group, competed against each other. The children competed enthusiastically and with exemplary sportsmanship, and the fans in the stands were also captivated by the joy of their play. The championship cup was lifted by Kastélyosdombó in the 8–10 age group and Pere in the 11–14 age group, but everyone left the field as winners, enriched with experiences that will last a lifetime.

"The Dream Championship not only brought the joy of sport to young people living in difficult circumstances, it also gave them the opportunity to discover their own strength and experience the importance of teamwork. The values they learned on the field – m utual respect, cooperation, and self-belief—will help them thrive in all areas of life. This program is a great example of how social responsibility can be filled with real experiences and opportunities," Kristóf Gáncs, executive director of the Hungarian Interchurch Aid, said about the collaboration.

"It was inspiring to watch the children during the months of preparation: they worked hard, supported each other, and overcame difficulties together, while constantly developing and learning. At Provident, we believe that through our social responsibility programs, we can make a positive difference in the lives of disadvantaged families. The Dream Championship was also a great opportunity to convey real values and support young people in bringing out the best in themselves," Viktor Boczán, CEO of Provident Financial Ltd. emphasized.

In the program, which was implemented in cooperation between Provident Financial Ltd. and the Hungarian Interchurch Aid, more than 180 children worked with soccer coaches to improve their stamina and soccer skills, learn to trust themselves and others, and function as team members on the field. The program was both a soccer tournament encouraging regular exercise and a social mission: the participating children acquired important skills that will accompany them beyond the field and help them become more confident, persistent and cooperative in their everyday lives.