Under the motto "Ball unites against violence, racism, discrimination and poverty", International Romani Day was celebrated in Sesvete.
International Romani Union and its partners continue to work on education and sports opportunities of Roma people. These activities raise the awareness of the discrimination, racism and segregation of Roma people still existing in society.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatian Football Federation is the main partner of Internation Romani Union, and HNS president Davor Šuker came personally to express his support. Šuker donated football the Romani national team and called the public to join the fight against racism:
"We will never get tired in helping. We want to do what is non-existent in other countries, to have football camps in smaller communities and raise the awareness of problems and suffering of Roma people. That is our responsibility towards our Romani friends. I wish them the best of luck in gaining the needed support. They deserve to live with dignity in Croatia".
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Šuker received an award from International Romani Union for his contribution in the fight against racism and discrimination. He was also appointed the ambassador of Roma people of Croatia.
"It is an honour to send a joint message with Croatian Football Federation and president Šuker, who came first to support us on this day. We thank him, and we send a message of peace, tolerance, and respect. We have to work on these issues in the future, to have fans respect the players from foreign countries, of different race and nationality", said Toti Dedić, president of the International Romani Union.
The programme was complete when Roma national team took on the Priests XI, another long-term Romani partner.
