The "Friendship Cup" minifootball tournament, involving teams of boys and girls aged 10-11 from orphanages, has been organized at the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Union.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the primary objective of the tournament is to promote a healthy lifestyle and physical activity among children raised in social service institutions, while supporting their integration into society and facilitating the formation of new friendships. The competition, organized by the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), featured teams from orphanages operating under the Social Services Agency in Baku, Ganja, Lankaran, and Sheki.
Teams competed under the names "Zafar," "Shahinlar," "Birlik," "Kapaz," "Khan," and "Qala," demonstrating high sporting spirit and camaraderie. Leyla Aliyeva attended the event, watched the matches, supported the teams, and met with the children for informal conversations and commemorative photos. She wished the participants success and emphasized the significance of holding such initiatives on a regular basis. At the conclusion of the tournament, the winning teams were presented with diplomas, medals, and trophies.
The Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which supports this initiative, is the largest non-governmental organization in Azerbaijan, leading numerous projects in education, healthcare, and social welfare. The "Friendship Cup" has become a traditional event since its inception last year, reflecting the country's commitment to the development of youth sports and the social protection of children in need of special care. Such projects are instrumental in building self-confidence and strengthening social bonds among young participants across the Republic of Azerbaijan.
