HÀ NỘI — The sixth season of the Football for Friendship (F4F) international children’s social project has opened in Việt Nam, announced Gazprom, an official partner of FIFA and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The project which was launched in Việt Nam on Monday for the second time, aims to involve the young generation across the world in promoting friendship, equality, peace and respect for different cultures and nationalities, according to a report from the Gazprom Football for Friendship Programme.

Young footballers from Việt Nam will play in the Moscow global football event which will unite kids from 211 countries and regions, the report says.

The F4F Open Draw was held in Moscow last year with 64 countries in 2017.

Some 32 international teams of friendship were formed during the draw and positions for each player from each country were determined. These 32 teams will compete at the Football for Friendship World Championship on 12 June in Russia, the report said.

The final events of the season will be held in Moscow, Russia from 8-15 June. The teams are organised using the ‘football for friendship’ principle - athletes of different nationalities, genders and physical abilities will play in one team.

The players are aged 12 and each team will be trained by football players aged 14-16 years old from different countries.

Media from around the world will cover the events, as will the F4F International Children’s Press Center, consisting of 12-year-old journalists from 211 countries and regions.

“We live in an age where people all over the world seek to unite behind the principles of equality and respect for each other. The project is a crucial element in this process. Football for Friendship gives that opportunity to everyone," noted Viktor Zubkov, chairman of the Board of Directors of PJSC Gazprom.

"We were glad to support this unique initiative from our FIFA partner Gazprom," said Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary General. "The forum is a perfect example of how football can be used to open doors for girls and boys from all backgrounds, a mission that FIFA supports actively." — VNS