The “Football as a Tool: Social Inclusion in Talent Development” conference, organized by the Reményhír Sports Association, brought together representatives of the sport and professionals involved in youth development to discuss issues faced by coaches and educators working with disadvantaged children.
The participants were welcomed by László Surman, Mission Director-General, who emphasized the role of sport in the lives of young people: “Our task, and the reason for organizing this meeting, is to understand and take advantage of the opportunities before us. Sport is one of the most powerful tools to help us define a life goal,” he highlighted.
One of the participants in the conference was István Pisont, a 31-time Hungarian national football player, who has long been actively involved in the development of young talents. The athlete said that he always encourages young football players not to give up on their dreams.
“Youth development determines the future of Hungarian football, which is why I felt it was important to work and contribute in this area. I have never encountered a situation where a child who came to me later didn’t want to continue playing football. I feel lucky that I can find common ground with them,” he explained.
The roundtable discussion, moderated by János Szelei, included István Mezei, the founder of the Hungarian Roma National Football Team; András Pisont, the leader responsible for talent development at CIKÖSZ (Alliance of Roma Communities); János Árgyelán, a legendary player of Békéscsaba Előre sports club; and János Kiss, the professional director of the Gyula Grosics Academy.
The conference enriched the participants with many valuable insights, highlighting the close connection between sport and talent development, as well as the role of sport in promoting social inclusion.
