HNS supports inclusive tournament within “Step by Step – Let’s Walk for Those Who Cannot”

For the second consecutive year, the Croatian Football Federation supported the inclusive “More Than a Game” tournament, held as part of the humanitarian project “Step by Step – Let’s Walk for Those Who Cannot”. The project was initiated by Danijela Lončarić in cooperation with the Dinamo Foundation “Nema predaje” and project partners, while this year’s edition attracted almost 300 participants to Prelog on 5 and 6 September.

HNS supports the project through UEFA’s FootbALL programme, promoting equal opportunities, making football accessible to everyone and encouraging the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport and society. Once again, the inclusive tournament demonstrated football’s power to create a space for unity, connection and equal participation for everyone, regardless of their abilities.

As part of the football programme, players from the Pogled Association for Autism and the Down Syndrome Association of Međimurje defeated Dinamo legends 2–1.

“I am pleased that, through our involvement, we can help young people with disabilities, especially those who participate in sport,” said former Dinamo player Etto, who scored and provided an assist in the exhibition match.

The sporting programme continued with a charity exhibition match between Dinamo veterans and Međimurje legends, which ended in a 3–3 draw.

As the match approached its conclusion, the first walkers began arriving at the finish line, including the project’s initiator, Danijela Lončarić. After walking throughout Saturday afternoon, the night and Sunday morning, the participants returned to the NK Mladost grounds in Prelog, where they were welcomed by local residents, volunteers, friends of the project and fellow walkers.

The centrepiece of the event was the third edition of the “100 Kilometres in 24 Hours” charity walking ultramarathon. Almost 300 participants joined the walk, including many people with disabilities as well as participants from Slovenia, Czechia and other countries. Thirty-three walkers completed the entire route, while others covered sections suited to their individual abilities, reinforcing the project’s central message: it is not about how far someone walks, because every step can become a step of support for someone else.

The weekend also featured a sitting volleyball match between Croatian internationals and the Hrabri ParaVolley Club, children’s 100- and 200-metre races, the “Poligon pozitive” activity zone, the Europe Direct Čakovec Citizens’ Zone, as well as music and other accompanying activities.

The humanitarian campaign, launched by Danijela Lončarić in cooperation with the Dinamo Foundation “Nema predaje” and project partners, concluded only three days after its official launch. A total of €45,314 was raised, surpassing the €45,000 target set to support six young para-athletes from the Međimurje region.

Entry fees and donations connected with the ultramarathon raised €10,314, while a €35,000 donation from the Chef kuha doma Association enabled the campaign to reach and exceed its target.

The funds are intended for Lana, Lora, Vita, David and Lovro, members of the Association of the Blind of Međimurje County, and Karla Hergotić, a para-athlete from Nedelišće and the world record holder in the shot put in her classification.

The funds will help Karla purchase prosthetic feet and related prosthetic components, throwing equipment, and cover the costs of therapy and indoor training in Zagreb. For the young athletes from the Association of the Blind of Međimurje County, the funds will be used for therapeutic climbing, physical therapy, training sessions and membership fees, as well as the purchase of cycling, volleyball and adapted chess equipment.

“These six young people for whom we are walking do not need our pity. They need an opportunity, support and a society that will not see their limitations first, but their talent, their potential and the person standing before us,”said Danijela Lončarić.

“We are extremely pleased to have supported this valuable project for the second consecutive year. Thanks to Danijela Lončarić, her dedication and the partners she has brought together, it has developed into a wonderful story of humanity, unity and inclusion. The Croatian Football Federation regularly supports initiatives of this kind, and through UEFA’s FootbALL programme, we will continue to support projects that make football accessible to everyone and create opportunities for people with disabilities to participate equally in sport and society,” said Ivona Hemen, Public Relations and Social Responsibility Projects Associate at the Croatian Football Federation.

The Croatian Football Federation will continue to support projects that make football accessible to everyone and create an environment in which every person has the opportunity to participate, belong and demonstrate their abilities.

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