site.btaChildren with Disabilities from Bulgaria, North Macedonia Play Friendly Match in Skopje

Teams of children with mental problems and other disabilities from Bulgaria and North Macedonia played a friendly football match here on Saturday, marking the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lifting of border-crossing restrictions.

"Our cooperation dates five years back. We have been organizing joint initiatives for children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism in the two countries. We missed so much these get-togethers, because the kids know each other, they are friends and enjoy playing against each other. The members of Bulgaria's Down syndrome national team from all over the country are here," Bulgarian Federation of Adapted Physical Activity President Slav Petkov told BTA.

"My team consists mainly of Down-syndrome and autistic children. Believe me, these are the best children! They love sports and music. We've been good friends with the Bulgarian team for six or seven years now, and I hope this will continue in future," said Borce Boev, Secretary General of the Union of Sports Federations of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Bulgaria's Ambassador in Skopje Angel Angelov welcomed the Bulgarian national team and wished them and the home side to play a good game and all win medals.

For his part, Naumce Mojsovski, Director of North Macedonia's Agency for Youth and Sport, said he was honoured and gratified to have such wonderful guests from Bulgaria. He hopes that with the pandemic gone, from now on the children will be assisted in all initiatives that will take place.