Slovak football tournament brings together diplomats, Roma and politicians for the fifth time

On the occasion of International Romani Day, Bratislava’s Hant Arena hosted its fifth annual football match last Friday between Romani teams from all over Slovakia and teams comprised of diplomats, journalists and politicians. The tournament is organized by the Embassy of the United States of America in Bratislava.

“Eight teams play in the tournament, two of which are comprised of a Romani side: the Roma from westerm Slovakia are represented by selected players from Plavecký Štvrtok, while the Roma from the east are represented by a team with players from Košice’s Luník IX housing estate and from Moldava nad Bodvou,” organizers informed TASR, the Slovak wire service. The tournament was also joined by teams of diplomats, journalists, MPs, and the staffers of non-governmental and youth organizations.

At the beginning of the tournament those playing were addressed by US Ambassador Adam Sterling, by State Secretary Peter Krajňák of the Education Ministry, and by the Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for the Romani Community, Ábel Ravasz. The program of the tournament was also spiced up with a performance by a Romani choral ensemble – from a primary school where the instructional language is Hungarian – in Moldava nad Bodvou.