HNS Partners with the Charity Campaign “Let’s Walk for Those Who Cannot”

The collaboration on this project began in May during HNS’s panel “Football as a Driver of Positive Social Change – Inclusion and Sustainability”, where the importance of visibility, support, and inclusion of persons with disabilities—especially persons with amputations—was emphasized.

The project aims to promote athletic strength, resilience, and personal endurance among people with amputations, particularly children and youth. It also intends to encourage inclusion in sport, with the message that football—the world’s most popular sport—is accessible to everyone. Through visibility, play, and community, the project seeks to break down stereotypes about persons with disabilities and to empower the community through development of team spirit, consistency, and discipline.

A special emphasis is placed on connecting professional football with the world of disability through exhibition matches and the support of clubs, as well as opening up societal dialogue about the need to expand the list of orthopedic aids in the healthcare system. In the long term, the project lays the groundwork for the national and regional development of inclusive sports programs.

Foto: Robert Gašpert

At the final stage in Jarun, Zagreb, there will be the “More Than a Game” tournament with numerous accompanying activities, including children’s and adult football tournaments, an exhibition match with well-known football players, a running camp, workshops, and children’s races.

The “Let’s Walk for Those Who Cannot” project was launched in 2024 by Danijela Lončarić as a socially responsible initiative within the Women’s Executive Business Club, of which she is the founder, when she walked 100 kilometers in less than 24 hours with the purpose of raising awareness and promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. The project has been recognized and supported by the broader public, the media, institutions, and sports bodies.

This year’s partners in the project include Ana Sršen from the Association of Amputees of the City of Zagreb (UAZ) and Anja Mihaljević, responsible for PR.

The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ), the Paralympic Committee, and numerous organizations, and it has been officially included in the European Week of Sport initiative.

By partnering in this campaign, the Croatian Football Federation aims to contribute to promoting equality and inclusion in society.

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