History

EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT

Coach and Coordinator Timo Virtanen - EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT Project.

Timo Virtanen serves as a coach and the international coordinator of the EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT project, operating under the World Children & Youth Physical Education Academy (C.Y.P.E. Academy) – cype-academy.org.
The project is a humanitarian and educational initiative aimed at supporting the well-being, education, and physical activity opportunities of children and youth, particularly in crisis and conflict areas.
Under Virtanen’s leadership, the project has been active in:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (1998–1999),
- Afghanistan (2005–2020),
- and since 2025, Ukraine.
The project is carried out in close cooperation with international organizations, as well as military and civilian partners, including NATO’s SFOR and ISAF forces and the United Nations.
These partnerships have played a vital role in ensuring the safe delivery of aid, a secure working environment, and long-term, sustainable impact in the areas of education and youth sports.
Through C.Y.P.E. Academy, Virtanen is responsible for operational coordination, long-term planning, and international cooperation with both local communities and global networks.
The core mission of the project is to offer hope, support, and concrete opportunities for a better future for children and young people – even in the midst of war and humanitarian crises.

Coordinator Timo Virtanen. Mykolaiv Ukraine 2025.

CURRICULUM VITAE – TIMO VIRTANENCoach • Humanitarian Project Leader • Sports Educator • Massage Therapist
Specialist in Physical Education for Excluded / Marginalized Children & Youth
Freelance Reporter/photographer.
Website: www.cype-academy.org
Nationality: Finnish
Education: Sports Coach & Sports Masseur

PROFILE SUMMARYDedicated international coach, humanitarian coordinator, and educator with more than 35 years of experience developing physical education, football programs, and inclusion projects for excluded and marginalized children and youth in Finland, Bosnia–Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Canada and Ukraine.
Founder of several long-term humanitarian and educational initiatives, including EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT (1995–), which has provided sports, camps and educational activities to tens of thousands of vulnerable children and youth globally. Experienced leader in special groups sports (deaf, visually impaired, CP, intellectually disabled), women’s elite football, and crisis-area sport development.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Inclusion & empowerment of excluded / marginalized children and youth
Special groups coaching (deaf, visually impaired, CP, intellectually disabled)
Humanitarian project coordination
Football coaching (women, youth, goalkeeper coaching, elite teams)
Physical education development
International cooperation (UN, NATO/SFOR, municipalities, NGOs)
Public speaking, training & education
Author of several books and sports manuals
Freelance Reporter/photographer.
Sports massage, rehabilitation & athlete wellbeing

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Chronological)1986

Coach & organizer for a football club serving excluded children, Hakunila Church / Parish
Player-coach, Roihuvuori Gymnasium Football Team (1986–1987)

1993–1996 – FC PoHU & KyIF

Player-Coach, FC PoHU (1993–1995)
Coaching Manager, FC PoHU (1994–1995)
Coach of the Year 1994, FC PoHU
Youth Talent Coach, FC PoHU (1995)
Goalkeeper Coach, FC PoHU (1993–1995)
Goalkeeper Coach, FC KyIF Women, Finnish Premier League (1995, autumn)
Goalkeeper Coach, KyIF/FCK Juniors (1996)

1995–2000 – Coaching in Disability Sports

Head Coach, Finland Deaf Men’s National Football Team (1995–2000)
Head Coach, Finland Deaf Youth National Team (1996–2000)
Founder of Finland’s first disability football school for children and youth (1995)
National development & organization of disability football for children & youth
Founder & Coordinator of EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT, 21.08.1995
Pohjola FAIR PLAY Award (10,000 €)

1997–1998 – Visually Impaired Sports

Head Coach, Finnish Women’s Goalball National Team
Coach of the Year 1997 – Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired
Women’s Goalball Team – Athlete of the Year 1997
European Championship Gold (1997), Nordic Championship Silver (1997)
World Championship Gold (1998)
Team achieved 14 medals at Finnish National Athletics Championships (1998)

1997

Degree in Sports Massage – Finnish Sports Institute

1998–1999 – International Humanitarian Work

Humanitarian Project EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT, Bosnia–Herzegovina
(7 sports education events, 50 m³ aid delivered with UN & NATO/SFOR)

1998–2000

Founder, Chairman & Executive Director
Finnish Children’s & Youth Physical Education Association
Freelance Reporter/photographer.

1998

Muscle Care Specialist, Nagano Paralympic Team

1999 – Special Groups & Youth Projects

Head Coach, Finnish CP Football National Team
FAIR PLAY Trophy Winner
Member, Children’s & Youth Division – Finnish Sports Association for the Intellectually Disabled
Founder and operator of KUPERKEIKKA national sports club for children & youth with developmental disabilities
Organizer, national school-sport events under EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT

2001–2008

FAIR SPORT TRAINER – sports massage & physical conditioning specialist

2004–2005 – “In Our Team EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT”

Program for workplaces and families
Lecturer; author of multiple sports education books
Freelance Reporter/photographer.

2006 – FC Espoo Women & Training Roles

Head Coach, FC Espoo Women (Finnish Premier League)
Goalkeeper Coach, FC Espoo Women & B-Girls
Coordinator of women’s and girls’ coaching
Marketing Manager, Kuusijärvi Outdoor Center (2006–2007)

2005–2020 – Humanitarian Work in Afghanistan Conflict Areas

Coordinator, EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT – Afghanistan
Delivery of sports & educational materials
School events, sport festivals, community support

2007–2014 – Health & Wellbeing Sector

Wellness day organizer & massage therapist
Coach, FC HyPS Special Groups Football Team (2010)
Organizer: Sport Against Violence Days
- Kabul (2011, 2012)
- Toronto (2014)

2015

Coordinator of EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT 20-Year Celebration
Vice Chairman, AFA Finland–Afghanistan Association
AFA / Coach for girls’ and boys’ football programs
Founder:
- World Heart Trainers Academy
- World Children’s & Youth Physical Education Academy
- World Children & Youth Rights Academy

2009–2023 – Cultural Work

Poetry readings in senior and veteran homes
- My Father’s Land – Fatherland
- Wartime Girl – Pearl of Ladoga

2025–2035 – Ukraine Projects

SAVE OUR SCHOOLS – S.O.S. Project (2025–2035) 18.04.2025
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT 30-Year Anniversary Event with GO FLAMO , Mykolaiv, Ukraine (21.08.2025)

2026–2036

Launch of EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT – United Nations Education Day 24.01.2026 Project in Ukraine (2026–2036)

FOUNDER ROLES

EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT (1995–) – Major international program for excluded children & youth
Finnish Children’s & Youth Physical Education Association (1998)
Kuperkeikka Sports Club – Board Member (1999)
AFA Finland–Afghanistan Association – Vice Chairman (2015)
World Heart Trainers Academy (2015)
World Children’s & Youth Physical Education Academy (2015)
World Children & Youth Rights Academy (2015)

LANGUAGES

Finnish – native
English – fluent

History

(photo: first Disabled children's Fair Play Football School 1995 Helsinki Finland)

The physical education project "Everybody Is Important" was launched in Finland, Northern Europe, in 1995 by coaching manager Timo Virtanen, who has coordinated the project ever since. The goal of the project is to demonstrate globally that every child and young person has the right to explore different types of sports in order to find what they enjoy most. The project began in 1995 with Fair Play football school events for children with disabilities, physical education demonstrations, and events supporting children’s hospitals. It also focused on training coaches and teachers in methods to prevent violence in schools. International activities began in 1998 in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in cooperation with the United Nations. Shortly afterward, the project expanded to crisis areas, supporting schools and sports clubs by organizing model sports events and providing educational and sports equipment.

Everybody is important – Physical Education project since 1995

Without the enthusiasm and dedication of Timo Virtanen, the first football team for children with mobility and visual impairments — FC PoHU Helsinki — would never have been established in Finland. A modest man, Timo credits the spark that ignited the project to physiotherapist Petri Rissanen, who was surprised to discover that Finland had no Cerebral Palsy (CP) football team for children with severe disabilities, even though football was already part of the Paralympic Games. Soon after that conversation, at Timo’s initiative, representatives from the Finnish Football Association, Finnish CP Association, Finnish Association of Sports for the Disabled, and the Southern Finland CP Society met in May 1995 to discuss the possibility of offering regular, supervised football training for children with disabilities. Initially, the Finnish Association of Sports for the Disabled was skeptical about the feasibility of organizing football for disabled children in Finland. However, after numerous discussions, the decision was made to organize a football school for children with disabilities and visual impairments. The event was held in August 1995 at the Tali Football Hall in Helsinki. The purpose of the two-day event was to assess how interested disabled children would be in playing football and, at the same time, raise awareness among those working in youth and disability sports. Before the football school became a reality, it faced many obstacles — doubts, suspicions, and prejudices. But by 1996, there were already 21 enthusiastic players aged 8 to 21 with disabilities or visual impairments in the FinnPa Fair Play Team, and those early challenges no longer worried Coach Timo Virtanen. The August football school, along with a speech by Archbishop John Wikström, was a major success. Everyone who witnessed the project's beginnings agreed: without Timo Virtanen’s tireless effort, it would never have come to life.
“Life is team play, and many others made a big effort too,”
Timo says, humbly downplaying his own contribution.

Disability football in Finland was born from that football school. During the autumn that followed, the team grew as more football enthusiasts joined. The team originally played under PoHU, but later moved to FinnPa. They began training twice a week. As the head coach of Finland’s National Deaf Football Team, Timo Virtanen doesn’t view disability as a limitation. He also understands deeply how people with disabilities — and their families — can face discrimination. Timo’s older brother had CP, and his death was a profoundly difficult experience for Timo and his family.
The mission of the FinnPa Fair Play Team is to offer its members the chance to enjoy team sports, to participate, and to feel valued. The team also aims to break down barriers and reduce prejudice by playing friendly matches with non-disabled teams.
“All of this must happen on the terms of the children and youth,”
says Timo. “It’s important to involve the bystanders — those who are often left out because they’re not considered ‘able’ enough to play.”
Timo adds that being around children and young people has always come naturally to him:
“Their joy is real, powerful, and free from the pressure of performance.”

Everybody is important Goalball School to blind childrens 1997 ( Protector: President of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari )

The Importance of Sports for Mental Health

"I am all alone. Nobody notices me. What’s wrong with me? Is it because I’m different from others? What should I do to find friends?" These are the questions of a lonely person — and there are many like him or her. But where can they find help? Too many people feel this way, and we must ask ourselves: how can we help them? Loneliness and the shame of feeling excluded from society simply for being different can be deeply harmful to mental health. We must keep this in mind: no life around us is exactly the same. Everyone is different — and that is life’s true richness.

The Role of Physical Education in Our Mental Health
Who decided what counts as physical education? And where is the line when someone says, "I don’t do sports at all"?
Let’s take a closer look. The human body is made up of hundreds of muscles. These muscles move us in all directions, both physically and emotionally. Some people may have the ability to use 200 of these muscles — but there’s one we all share: the heart.
Whether or not someone identifies as “athletic,” movement matters — and it connects directly to our mental well-being. Physical education isn’t just about competition or achievement. It’s about moving, connecting, belonging, and feeling alive.

Fair Play Football School

As a sports trainer, I’ve realized that the most important muscle in our bodies is the heart.
It’s the heart that gives us the strength to move all our other muscles. A trainer’s job is to support and motivate everyone — and this is vital not only for physical performance but also for our social lives. In the world of sports, I’ve found new friends who appreciate me just the way I am. I feel important because I am noticed and accepted as part of a group. I don’t have to be lonely anymore. But what about effort? Who decides what counts as good or bad performance?
As a trainer, I truly wish we could set aside all the testing equipment for a while and focus on our own individual goals. For some, even taking one step can be a huge accomplishment — especially if it's their first step. That one step can be a real achievement. And if they keep taking that step every day, it becomes sports — for them. For her. For him.
As a trainer, my job is to support that one step. One day, it might be two steps. The more effort it takes, the more ambition grows, and the more opportunities we have to succeed in physical education. And as we succeed, we feel more like valued members of our community. We set goals, we make the effort, and we get to share great experiences together. Success builds motivation to keep going. But we must also remember that failure can be tough on our mental health. It’s a fact that no one can succeed every day, and adversity teaches us all. As Lasse Virén once said:
“To be able to win, you have to learn how to lose.” If we learn to always win, we might end up down a dangerous path. Today’s competitive sports world can be brutal. The stakes are high, and the demands are endless. In the end, one can lose their health in pursuit of victory. The desire for fortune and fame has led some to turn to illegal substances, which can destroy both physical and mental well-being.
We must always remember: The biggest win in life is winning over yourself.

Fair Play Football School

Through physical education, we have the opportunity to reach our full potential.
When we set the right goals, and my trainer works alongside me, I can experience truly emotional moments in life.
New friends can lift our mental health through the support they offer. Trainers who guide and support me, helping me direct my actions toward my goals and giving me a sense of accomplishment, make me feel good about myself. They help me accept who I am.
Most importantly, I can set an example and show my community the true value of physical education in our society. I wish you all the strength and endurance to achieve whatever it is you aim for. Winning yourself is the most important victory.
Let’s always remember to support each other — both in sports and in life.
Remember: EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT.

Goalball school to blind children's 1997

In a team game everybody is important
by Tomi

I am the mother of 13-year-old Tomi. Because Tomi has Cerebral Palsy, he uses two walking sticks — and he needs them even when playing soccer. And that doesn’t matter at all!
Tomi has always been passionate about sports; it has always been his favorite hobby. His walking sticks have never stopped him from doing what he loves.
Tomi began his sports journey with PoHU Helsinki City and later moved to the FinnPa Fair Play Team.
In the autumn of 1995, we read in the newspaper that a football team had been established for disabled children and youth. The article included Timo Virtanen’s phone number, so we immediately called him to ask if Tomi could join the team. I asked whether Tomi could still play, even though he needed to use his sticks and a wheelchair for longer trips. Timo’s response was simple:
"Let’s play!"
I also asked if Tomi could come and watch the team’s training sessions, as they already had two practices a week.
So, we took Tomi to watch the training, and as soon as he saw the game, he immediately wanted to join. This was despite having a plaster cast on one leg from a recent surgery. But Tomi played his very first practice with the cast, and he said it didn’t bother him at all.
And that’s how Tomi’s soccer career began.

Tomi

The team played many exhibition matches around the Helsinki area. I traveled with Tomi, and as a mother, it was wonderful to see the joy the children got from training and playing. Each of them did what they could, and they all enjoyed it so much.
Over time, I saw how each player progressed, and it was amazing to witness how considerate the best players were. Some children played with a helper, while others played without one.
This created a strong sense of teamwork, where each player could contribute with their own skills.
Standing on the sidelines, I’ve seen the children grow both mentally and physically. I’ve seen how everybody is important in the team. This team wouldn’t exist without these kids, and without their will to play in a soccer team where everyone has a meaningful role on the field.
Soccer has been incredibly beneficial for Tomi. He’s had the chance to meet other children who are similar to him, and this has helped him accept himself for who he is.
We have learned that disability is not an obstacle if you have a passion for sports.
Sporty autumn greetings,
Tyti Hinttaniemi 1996

Elisabeth Rehn, Under-secretary-general of the United Nations with Linda Koskinen, Kirkkonummi Days 1999

I wish there were more sports events in Finland for those who have been left out of regular sports clubs. I hope we will have so many Fair Play teams that we can organize a tournament or something similar.
Nowadays, I’m much bolder when it comes to trying new things and exploring different types of sports. I also want to encourage other disabled kids to get started in sports. It may be difficult at first, but the most important thing is to believe in yourself.
I have many friends who are afraid to try because they fear being laughed at. I always tell them: Laugh back!
I’ve always wanted to stand up for the weaker and help those in need. All my hobbies have brought me a lot of new friends.
Most of all, I wish all forms of prejudice could be wiped out, and that everyone would realize that everyone has the right to sports or any other hobby they enjoy.
Remember, everybody is important!

Playing soccer as visually impaired
by Matti Hokkanen

Matti & Timo 1995 first football training together

It all started in the middle of last June when I saw an announcement in Airut, a magazine for visually impaired individuals. The announcement was about a Fair Play Soccer School for disabled and visually impaired people, taking place at Tali Soccer Hall. The next Monday, I contacted Pekka Liikanen (from the Congress of Visually Impaired, head of sports) and signed up for the event.
The following morning, coach Timo Virtanen called me. Throughout the week, we reached out to people to encourage them to join, but in the end, only two others — plus me — promised to come and play. Most likely, the timing during the summer vacation was one reason, but another factor was that, before this, no visually impaired person had ever played soccer in Finland. My friends asked, "What’s the point of that?" But I didn’t care.
At the end of June, my coach and I agreed to start practicing basic soccer skills at Tali Soccer Hall. He had never coached visually impaired players before, so we needed to see and test how he could teach me and others with the same disability.

Personal guide for the blind

For now, a blind person needs a personal guide to play soccer. Before the game, it’s the guide’s responsibility to tell the player where the goals are located. Additionally, when playing in a new hall, it’s important to walk around the field beforehand so the players can get familiar with its size and shape.
The guiding process is similar to walking on the street: the player holds onto the guide’s elbow. The guide is also responsible for catching the ball if the player can’t reach it, which sometimes happens — even to me. If the player doesn’t notice the ball in front of them, the guide will direct them by telling them where it is, and where and how hard to kick it.

Great atmosphere in August

The first weekend of August, we finally had the soccer school. It was organized as a checkpoint training event. Players moved from one checkpoint to another, where they trained and learned various skills at each station: dribbling the ball between their legs, playing as a goalkeeper, kicking techniques, and more. Afterward, we played games with mixed teams.
The highlight of the weekend was our visit to Linnanmäki on the first night. We had a blast, spinning on intense rides and indulging in sweet treats. It’s a small miracle we were able to play the next day, but we managed — and in the end, everyone received a medal.

Matti Hokkanen gives Fair Play football to Archbishop John Vikström 1995 at Fair Play football school

The team is born

I had decided to start regular soccer training once the practices moved indoors, so I could be sure the training would continue through the winter season. This became possible in October when we were able to rent the gym at the Helsinki Fourth Health Care Institute for practice every Monday. Tali would have been the ideal place for us, but despite our efforts, we couldn’t secure any time there.
At the end of November, we added soccer training at Siltamäki Swimming Hall every Thursday. There, we swim, play catch, work on various soccer techniques, and, of course, play soccer. In the water, we use two types of balls. When practicing techniques and playing catch, we use a large foam rubber ball to prevent it from sinking, and when playing soccer, we use a smaller ball. It’s more challenging to play in the water because you have to exert more effort to move.
In addition to all this, we’ve played a few friendly matches against other teams. Winning isn’t the focus in these matches — having fun and supporting one another is. The highlight came in December during the United Nations International Soccer Day. We played a friendly match outside on an ice hockey field. The temperature was around freezing, it was sleeting, and the field was slippery, but it was still a fun experience. My guide almost fell, which amused me a lot!

Integration or different groups

One night, the coach and I discussed whether it made sense to establish a separate soccer team for visually impaired players and make it an official sport, especially since we’ve already had goalball — a sport for the visually impaired based on sound — for over twenty years. On one hand, it makes sense, because with a separate team, training programs could be tailored to the specific needs of the visually impaired, and we could even involve disabled individuals with a long history in soccer as coaches.
On the other hand, this could conflict with the original idea of integration. I myself asked, “Isn’t the goal to integrate visually impaired people into the community?”

Where we are now

At the moment, our team has 23 members, six of whom are visually impaired in some way. Three are totally blind, and three have partial vision. The age range is quite broad — the youngest is six years old, and I am currently the oldest at 21. However, the average age is around 14 to 15 years.
Last fall, we had a new player join the team, a boy who uses walking sticks. The sticks don’t stop him from playing, just like any other kid. This proves that soccer is a sport for everyone, even though it can sometimes be a tough and competitive game.

Final words

In my opinion, soccer is a great game that brings new friends and a sense of cheerfulness. I’ve also noticed that it has made me fitter. It’s a fantastic hobby, especially for people with balance problems.

Historical photos & documents

Cerebral Palsy team Finland European Championship games in Braschaat Belgium 1999.

FC Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle 1995.

Fair Play football match 1996 FinnPa/Fair Play Team with Danny, Armi and Thorne

FinnPa/Fair Play Team with Fire Department Vantaa City 1997.

”Everybody is Important” -tournaments

Fair Play Day was organized at the Järvelä sports field in Kärkölä. The local club Jäppärä of Kärkölä arranged a junior tournament, and alongside it, a Fair Play tournament was held. During the tournament, we took the opportunity to educate people about the Bosnia-Herzegovina project, which aims to teach children and youth about physical education and acceptance.
The tournament featured teams from the Finnish National CP Football Team, the National Football Team of Deaf, the Riihimäki Communications Regiment, the Fire Department, and Jäppärä of Kärkölä. The event was honored with the greetings of its patroness, Madam Helvi Sipilä.
In addition to the sporting activities, the people of Kärkölä generously donated sports gear for
Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Greetings from Madam Helvi Sipilä

I am truly amazed by how much strong and valuable work people in difficult situations are willing to do for society.
In my years of international peacekeeping and numerous assignments in different communities across Finland, I’ve seen and experienced richness in many forms. We are all different, and more importantly, our physical appearance is not the most important thing. What truly matters is what is in the heart — respecting others and accepting people of all kinds. This is the most valuable work and message we can offer in peacebuilding.
As a message of peace, I want to share this with the Finnish people:
During the Winter War, I served in air surveillance from the first day to the last day of the war. Those lonely nights in the tower gave me time to reflect on the values of life. The greatest value at that time was the future of our children and the importance of building a bridge for generations to come. I hope we never forget that.
Let’s give our children opportunities and support each other. I was very happy to have my first child just three months after the war.

Disparity is Richness
When I worked with scouts with cerebral palsy (CP) 52 years ago, I met a correspondent in Switzerland. I knew he was highly respected in his work. The first time we met, I was startled. He had the body of a ten-year-old and the head of an adult.
As we got to know each other better, I was struck by his wisdom, which came from his heart and was reflected in his words. Since that time, I’ve understood what disparity and richness truly mean.
Starting the scouts team for blind girls and developing that work has had great value in my life.
In closing, I want to remind all the cooperators of the “Everybody is Important” campaign:
The first section of the United Nations Charter says a lot:
"Regardless of the situation, we all need to have human rights."

Former Assistant-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Helvi Sipilä

Finnish Defence forces & Cerebral palsy Team Finland 1999

Finnish Defence Forces & Deaf Team in Finland 1999

"Everybody is important"- School Days in Turku and Jyväskylä cities

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Turku

In the spring of 1998, several organizations vocally promised to provide funding for our society if necessary. Believing the funding was secured, we created an action plan for the year 1998. Despite these promises, we did not receive the expected funding and found ourselves in financial trouble. As chairman, I decided to take a risk and organize school physical education days in Turku and Jyväskylä, because teachers and, more importantly, the students were expecting it.
We applied for funding from the Ministry of Education (which provided some), Veikkaus Oy (which gave less), and RAY, but we received no substantial financial support.
On August 27th, we showed our determination. Despite the lack of funding and limited time, we successfully organized Finland’s first “Everybody is Important” School Days. A total of 420 children participated in the event, both with and without disabilities. The sports included football, track and field, basketball, and a circus camp. Additionally, the Police and Rescue Department and the Finnish Red Cross were there to present their work.
Aurajoki High School students, the Finnish Defence Forces, Turku YMCA, Turku Circus School, and the Children and Youth Support Group Rainbow all provided volunteers. We also received support from SUOLA ry, with Nikolai Klix, Riikka Rusi, and Timo Virtanen contributing to the event.
We were fortunate to receive financial support from the City of Turku and the Finnish Physical Educators Association.

Jyväskylä

September 10th was the biggest event of the year. Even today, we are amazed at how we managed to pull it off, and we did so from the heart. We successfully organized an event for 1,300 children and young people without any budget (although we had been promised funding by a corporation in early spring, which never materialized). In Jyväskylä, in cooperation with the University’s Physical Education Department, we arranged an integrated “Everybody is Important” Day for school children.
At the event, there were 1,300 children participating in a variety of activities, including goalball, sitting volleyball, track and field, floorball, wheelchair basketball, judo, fitness boxing, wheelchair rugby, orienteering, boccia, and trick track.
We had an incredible group of coaches, including University students led by Pauli Rintala, staff from the Finnish Defence Forces of Tikkakoski, such as Erkki Tervo, Tarmo Uusivirta, Pertti Reima, Keijo Niemi, Jaana Argillander, and Harri Peltola. From SUOLA ry, we had Tanja Kari, Pentti Musakka, Kaija Tuikkanen, Minna Ojajärvi, Elena Kaskiaro, Nikolai Klix, Ulrika Kostamoinen, Maarit Korhonen, Päivi Tolppanen, Marja-Terttu Piiroinen, and Timo Virtanen. We were also supported by coaches from the Jyväskylä Sports Center, the national sitting volleyball team, the women’s national goalball team, and the national wheelchair basketball team. Additionally, representatives from sports clubs Happee ry, Suunto 101, Leppä of Leppävesi, and Kirsi Kokko joined us as well.
Other program highlights included:
At the School of Voionmaa: Theme on tolerance and internationality

Lecturers:
Antti Häikiö, Peacekeeping for the UN
Kalevi Tikkanen, PE for the visually impaired
Maarit Korhonen, Sports for the Deaf
Nikolai Klix, “Everybody is Important”
Visits:
Air Defense Museum
Trick playing with Hilarius Hiiri
Visit to Tikkakoski Garrison
Presentation of gear by the Police, Fire Department, and the Finnish Red Cross

“In our Team, Everybody is Important”

Everybody is important school day in Vantaa 1999

Cerebral Palsy Teams, Finland & Ireland, with junior team FC Orivesi, year 2000

The Editorial

“Sunshine sometimes, then pouring rain... The ball keeps rolling...”
I can’t help but sing to myself while writing this editorial. I clearly remember the moment when we had a meeting with the CP Society of Southern Finland, where we discussed the meaning of sports for children with cerebral palsy. We thought about all the children left out of sports clubs due to their
disabilities.
There are many sports clubs and youth organizations that educate children about the benefits of physical education, but for some reason, most forget about those with physical challenges. For these children, it is difficult to find organizations that provide support.
That night, we decided to unite our efforts and start a project to spread the word that every child and young person, regardless of their physical challenges, is worthy and deserves the opportunity to enjoy sports.
The “Everybody is Important” project has now been running for three years, and we’ve gained more support along the way. This project has coordinated events and brought the joy of sports to over 9,000 children, and all of our activities have been fully integrated. We have shared our message through TV, radio, and press. We calculated that we have reached over 6.5 million viewers and listeners, so it’s safe to say that many people have heard from us more than once. We believe we’ve made a difference in society and that we can continue to influence how people think and act.
What started as a small snowball, pushed into motion by the CP Society of Southern Finland, has now grown into a powerful “energy ball”, capable of breaking down prejudice and changing attitudes. On the side of that green energy ball, two words shine bright: FAIR PLAY and EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT. Most importantly, on that ball, you can see the words of the creator: MADE IN FINLAND.
Fair Play regards,
Timo Virtanen

Cerebral Palsy Teams, England & Finland, 1999 in Belgium. European Championship games.

OPERATION CO-OPERATION
Operation Co-operation has begun. The "Everybody is Important" project, along with other collaborative efforts involving social services, police forces, rescue services, and numerous organizations, has joined forces in our mission. The purpose of this campaign is to educate, through sports and physical education, about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.
In addition, with cooperative guidance, we are creating Fair Play Clubs in schools, child care institutions, and juvenile detention centers across the country. By the end of September, seven clubs will be active in Helsinki and Turku. This continues the "Everybody is Important" project’s work, which started internationally with the “Everybody is Important” operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This campaign is being carried out in collaboration with the UN’s Finnish Peacekeepers and the IPTF (International Police Task Force).
Since 1998, the "Everybody is Important" project has organized, with various partners, physical education events for over 23,000 people. All events have been fully integrated, offering children of all kinds the opportunity to meet, compete in a friendly environment, and learn understanding and acceptance. In "Everybody is Important", we believe that the more young people from different backgrounds meet and learn about one another, the less prejudice they will develop. This understanding not only fosters empathy but also makes our world a safer place to live. The earlier we learn how to engage with others, how to smile at each other, the better society will be.
We would like to thank all our partners. Let’s remember, every life is important.
Timo Virtanen, Coordinator

The Särkänniemi Football Cup tournament, which for the first time in 1999 included players with disabilities

Football tournament with Celebral Palsy International teams
Finland & Ireland in Tampere city 2000

Opening ceremony in Tampere city. Cerebral Palsy Team Finland against Ireland. "Everybody is important"-speech by Timo Virtanen.

Ireland President Mary McAleese

Fair Play with Team Ireland & Finland.

Finland President Tarja Halonen

Operation ”Everybody is Important -project in Bosnia-Hertzegovina” 1998-1999

In the School "Everybody is Important" Day in Jyväskylä, we heard about an operation that aimed to help children who had suffered from the horrors of war and the greed of adults. These children had lost their joy of life, their homes had been destroyed, and many of their friends had died, all because adults’ games were more important than the children’s play.
The purpose of this project was to showcase Finnish peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia, and in Finland, we organized a fundraising campaign to support these children and youth by giving them a chance to play basketball in a local sports club in Doboj city. Unfortunately, the project failed for political reasons. Politics refused to accept the help planned for the children—politics that doesn’t always consider the children’s and youth’s perspectives.
Since the mission failed and Finnish NATO/SFOR troops were still stationed near the City of Doboj, I, as the coordinator of our "Everybody is Important" project, decided to take on the mission. We can’t let politics, religion, or other adult power games stop us when the physical and mental health of children and youth are at stake. The mission of our organization is to help marginalized children and youth, teach them through physical education, and send a message that our job as adults is to build a bridge for the generations to come.
I have been in contact with parish worker Kimmo Palkoranta, who is examining the living conditions of local children and youth. We have received a report from the local basketball team, KK Doboj, about their very poor conditions—conditions we can’t even begin to understand sitting here in our comfortable chairs.

Family home in Bosnia – Hertzegovina 1998

I arrived in Doboj on the 21st of November, 1998, and we started working the next day, the 22nd (Judgment Day), for the local children and youth. We assessed the situation and made contact with Finnish sports and CP organizations. We planned to arrange an "Everybody is Important" PE event (Fair Play) in Doboj for March 1999. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of the needs of children and youth in our society and to promote tolerance and acceptance of differences. We also aimed to collect sports equipment, clothes, and other essentials for those in need.
In March, I began my journey. The road was long—4000 km—and it took five days to get there. The only reason for making the journey was to demonstrate Finnish knowledge and skills in peacekeeping, as the NATO/SFOR Green Jäger Battalion was working alongside us. We hoped to find Finnish co-operators back home who might help offer these children, living in a war zone, the opportunity to come here for a camping experience, to enjoy a moment of peace, and to learn that everybody is important.
I will write a report about the conditions of children and youth in Bosnia-Herzegovina after I return to Finland.
I wish joy and happiness on their paths to all my readers. May the Fair Play spirit be with us.

Timo Virtanen
Sarajevo 1998

Sarajevo Graveyard 1998

MISSION
”Everybody is important in Bosnia-Herzegovina”

Almost six months we have worked with NATO/SFOR Finnish peacekeepers in the Physical Education Project “Everybody is Important” in Bosnia-Herzegovina. We have received help and made new friends from Finnish sports clubs, organizations, schools, and families.
We all belong to one big FAIR PLAY family. The motto of the FAIR PLAY family is “Everybody is Important.” Together, this family wants to encourage and help the children and youth of Bosnia-Herzegovina and support their physical education. From our friends in Finland, we received aid in the form of clothes, sports equipment, and toys for the children.
The day of departure was the 6th of March, and our destination was the city of Doboj in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where Finnish NATO/SFOR forces work. Our journey began from Sompasaari, Helsinki. We traveled by a red Scania truck, which I called “Red 7”. With 400 horsepower, we drove into the cargo hold of Finn Carriers. Our driver, Vesa Heinäjärvi from Nieminen & Haggren Ltd, had carefully planned the route to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Vesa was determined that we would get there and was very supportive throughout the journey. We started a 3000 km journey—one that did not happen in 1996-1997.
The boat trip was safe, thanks to the capable hands of Ms Finn Traders' captain Olli Tapio, who warmly welcomed us and sent his regards to the NATO/SFOR Peacekeepers. During the boat trip, we were lucky to have great weather. It was relatively warm and sunny all the way. On board, the service and food were excellent, making us grateful, as we needed all our strength for the road ahead. After 1150 km of sailing, we arrived at Lübeck harbor on Monday morning. Vesa pointed out that it was the first time he had ever arrived at Lübeck in sunny weather. From sunshine, he moved into the dark cargo hold and took the driver’s seat of Red 7, starting the 400-horsepower engine. Nobly, Red 7 moved with its precious cargo, and we began our long drive through Germany, Austria, and Hungary towards Bosnia-Herzegovina.
On the first day, we had great weather and drove 800 km before taking a rest. The next day, sleet hit us and splashed against the windscreen of Red 7, but we didn’t mind. Vesa, being a professional, handled the difficult conditions easily. After crossing the border into Austria, the sun started shining again, and traffic wasn’t as bad. Crossing the Danube, we saw that it was flooding, which made me reflect on the immense power of water. Coincidentally, at that moment, we heard “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic on the radio.
Passing Vienna, I checked the map. The border of Hungary wasn’t very far. There, we would meet Finnish NATO/SFOR Peacekeepers. In the afternoon, we had visual contact with the peacekeepers: staff sergeant Jyrki Koskela and driver Timo Hyyppä. Vesa and I both felt glad and proud when we saw the blue cross-flag shirts of our welcoming committee.

United Nations Mrs Elisabeth Rehn

With the peacekeepers, we continued our trip towards Pécs in Hungary, where we rested and gathered some energy for the toughest day of our journey. In the morning, after carefully reviewing all the safety requirements, we checked our safety gear for emergencies and hit the road with our armed entourage. By that point, we had already traveled 2750 km and had only 200 km left. Although it had been a tough and exhausting journey, Vesa remained cheerful at the wheel of Red 7. We were determined to bring our message and help to the children of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The first 100 km were easy, and we reached the Bosnia-Herzegovina border. We put on our safety gear, helmets, and everything else, and all went peacefully. I had complete trust in our escort. The last 100 km were uneventful, and Doboj greeted us warmly with bright, sunny weather.
Red 7 glided majestically through the peacekeepers' battalion area. We began unloading our precious cargo. Our first challenge had been successfully completed, and all 3000 km were behind us. After unloading, we began planning and preparing for the upcoming PE events. The first FAIR PLAY Day was scheduled for the 15th of March at the Doboj Gym.
Our report continues from the City of Doboj in Bosnia-Herzegovina. We are now at the Finnish SFOR Jäger Battalion, planning the physical education aid project, “Everybody is Important.” We traveled 3000 km from Finland, carrying all the donations (clothes, sports gear, toys) with us. We managed to get everything here safely, and once again, we are deeply grateful to our driver, Vesa Heinäjärvi.
On Thursday morning, my friend, congregational worker Kimmo Palkoranta, and I began sorting through all the items we had collected. It was absolutely amazing how much Finnish families, organizations, and sports clubs had donated for the benefit of the children and youth in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Before our first event on the 15th of March, we learned from the HI NEIGHBOUR organization that the children who would be participating in our PE event were already eagerly waiting. After seven hours of hard work, we got everything done. We were excited for the next morning, when we could inform our co-operators of the time for assembly. Everything had gone according to plan. We had been working for six months to make this happen, and we felt good as we finished for the night.
After our morning chores, we reviewed all the details. We had footballs and gear for KK Doboj Juniors and Zeljeznicar Football Club. For all the school children, we had prepared diplomas and 200 footballs as a memento of this event. We were excited to meet Professor Milivoj Cucicia at the gym. Kimmo and I wondered why the professor wasn’t expecting us at the door, as he usually did. We found him in his office, and he had bad news for us:
“I’m sorry, I’ve just learned from the Minister of Education (Republic of Srpska) that, due to the general political situation, we cannot cooperate with NATO/SFOR troops. Therefore, we can’t arrange the FAIR PLAY Day on the 15th of March as planned.”
Kimmo and I looked at each other, thinking about the disappointment the Serbian children would feel for not being able to participate in the sports event—simply because of politics.

Six months of work were going down the drain, and all the sacrifices made by Finnish sports organizations and families seemed to be in vain, just because of politics. I wondered why it is always the children and youth who pay the price. In this case, it meant that 200 Serbian kids lost their chance to participate in an event where they could have fun and enjoy sports. They missed the opportunity to gain mental strength and resilience from participating in sporting teams and interacting with peace-loving people.
With this report, I plea that international sports organizations and the Olympic Committee take notice of this situation, and that we can receive media coverage to help the children of Bosnia-Herzegovina get a chance to enjoy sports through FAIR PLAY Day.

Fair Play message

To International Sports Organizations and The Olympic Committee
I plead to all international sports organizations and The Olympic Committee, as well as to Finnish children and youth physical education organizations, Finnish sports groups, and all other cooperative organizations and peace-loving families who have supported us in the "Everybody is Important" initiative in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The first FAIR PLAY Day was cancelled, and hundreds of Serbian children were left disappointed, waiting for another opportunity. We, too, are left waiting to support the children of Bosnia-Herzegovina who are in need.
Esteemed international sports organizations and The Olympic Committee, we came from Finland with the sole purpose of helping and supporting the children of Bosnia-Herzegovina. We hope you will join us in supporting our mission: sport against violence. Our tools are Fair Play and a good heart. We ask for your support in advocating for the children of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and we hope you will join us in petitioning the Bosnian-Herzegovinan government to improve the quality of life for children there.
We ask for your collaboration in organizing FAIR PLAY DAYS to help the children of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The war and political conflicts in Bosnia-Herzegovina have already claimed many young lives, and we hope that you will help us build a bridge for these children, offering them a chance to cross into a better tomorrow. We came to help, but were stopped by politics. We now ask for your help to make this physical education project a reality.
We remain hopeful for all the Finnish participants and for all those in Bosnia-Herzegovina who are striving to support the mental and physical well-being of children in their sometimes bleak and uncertain lives. We all know that sport, imbued with the spirit of Fair Play, unites nations. So, why not give these children the opportunity to experience the fun of sports and the joy of success on the field, something they truly need? Fair Play is one solution for peace and cooperation.
From the bottom of our hearts, we hope that all international sports organizations and The Olympic Committee will join us in our Fair Play Team, working together to achieve this goal. You can send your Fair Play message or your support to the following address, and we will forward it to the Bosnian-Herzegovinan government. Our goal is to make life just a little better for the children of Bosnia-Herzegovina through sports and physical education, with the support of the FAIR PLAY family.

Never give up

March 10th, 1999: Arrival in Doboj, Bosnia-Herzegovina
We have traveled 3000 km from Finland with our aid truck (Red7) and have arrived safely in Doboj, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Now, we are preparing for our FAIR PLAY DAY event. On Friday the 12th, we went to the school gym to discuss the details with Professor Milivojh Cucicci. Unfortunately, he had bad news for us: The Ministry of Education of the Serbian Republic had banned all cooperation with NATO/SFOR troops, meaning we would not be able to organize our sporting event at that school on Monday the 15th.
With this bad news in hand, we went to meet local sports organizations and the IPTF. Despite the setbacks, all our local partners still wanted to work with us and hoped we wouldn't give up on this project.
My friend, congregational worker Kimmo Palkoranta, and I returned to the Finnish battalion. We sat down at a round table and were filled with frustration, realizing that Serbian children were missing out on a chance to have fun due to political reasons. Kimmo and I couldn’t accept that those kids would be the ones to suffer, so we quickly began brainstorming new plans.
Time was tight, as it was already Friday afternoon, and the event was scheduled for Monday. I told Kimmo, "We have to take every obstacle as a challenge. We will find a way."
On Saturday morning, we contacted the local basketball team, KK Doboj. I went to meet the chairman of the team and asked if they had a practice scheduled for that afternoon. Luckily, they had a practice at 4 PM. I asked for permission to visit the team and bring my greetings from Finland and the Finnish Basketball Society. The chairman welcomed me warmly, though he was sorry about the political ruling of the Serbian Republic.
I rushed back to the battalion and started packing all the gear that our contributors had donated for the basketball team, including 20 blue-and-white basketballs from the Finnish Basketball Society. I shared the good news with Kimmo, and we prepared to leave.
At 3:30 PM, we set out and arrived at the gym of Doboj Elementary School just before 4 PM. After the war, Finnish peacekeepers had helped renovate the school for the children. The representatives of the basketball team, all the players, and the local press were there to greet us. We parked our green NATO/SFOR vehicle in the parking lot and carried all the supplies into the gym.
The chairman of the basketball team gave a speech, expressing regret about the political barriers that prevented us from holding FAIR PLAY DAY as planned. He hoped that cooperation would continue and that their basketball team could visit Finland within the year.
After the chairman’s speech, I shared greetings from Finland, including messages from the Finnish Basketball Society and others. I was particularly glad to speak in this gym because it had been renovated by Finnish peacekeepers after the war. I also read a supportive message from our project’s patroness, Mrs. Elisabeth Rehn of the United Nations. After my speech, Kimmo presented a message from the NATO/SFOR Finnish Jäger Battalion.
The chairman then expressed hope for a future Fair Play game and extended a warm welcome to the Finnish battalion for future visits. We also shared that we had made history—back in 1996-1997, Finland had tried to help their basketball team, but political issues had prevented aid from reaching its destination. Now, the barriers had been broken, and we were building bridges between schools and organizations.
We were all very pleased with the event and promised to continue the effort. After a cup of coffee with the chairman, Kimmo and I returned to the battalion, feeling content that our first challenge had been overcome. I made a mental note to find a friendship basketball team from Finland to visit KK Doboj back home.
After our visit to the basketball team, we had only one day left to plan Fair Play Day on Sunday, the 15th of March. On Sunday morning, I met with the interpreters and did everything we could to get in contact with the next day’s co-operators. I shared my plans with Kimmo, and he was amazed. He asked me, "How on earth did you manage to contact all these people?" I replied, "Maybe even the sky channels are open for us today!"
We presented our plans to the commander of the battalion, who was pleased with what we had achieved but warned us that anything could happen overnight that might prevent us from leaving in the morning. We prepared everything and trusted that all would go smoothly. We were determined that our Fair Play trip would happen, and that those children would finally get what they deserved. Kimmo and I knew that now was the time.

FAIR PLAY DAY

The Plan for Fair Play Day was as follows:
In the morning, we set off for Gradacac Elementary School (80 km away), where we would visit, present our greetings from Finland, distribute the aid we had for them, and play football with the schoolchildren. Then, we headed to Derventa (60 km), where, with the help of Hi Neighbor, we would visit the Institute for the Blind and teach the students to play goalball. Finally, we would make our way to Doboj (60 km), where we would meet the players of the Zeljenizar football team, play with them, and inform the juniors about the dangers of landmines. In every place we visited, we would also read a message from our patroness, Mrs. Elisabeth Rehn of the UN. At each destination, we would distribute the gear that we had originally planned to give at the gym event (see appendix Fair Play Day).
After returning to the battalion, Kimmo and I felt both happy and relieved. Six months of hard work had almost been ruined, but we had managed to save it by quickly creating a new plan and executing it. Despite the challenging circumstances, we were still able to bring joy and deliver promised aid to our friends, children, and youth. We had kept our promise and made the impossible possible. In this case, the mission was clear: to bring the joy of life to the children of Bosnia-Herzegovina through physical education.
In just a short time, we had taken the first steps and built four bridges with our co-operators. That evening, we reflected on how much joy one little ball could bring and how many new friends could be made through Fair Play. For each ball, there are 10 to 20 players. After practice, they can find even more people to join in and have fun with that Fair Play ball. In the end, that small ball becomes something big in those difficult conditions. When you play, you can momentarily forget the challenges and struggles outside the field, have a little fun, and make new friends. It may offer a glimmer of hope for a better tomorrow and help find peaceful solutions for life's journey.
We were grateful for the opportunity to share that joy with the support of the NATO/SFOR Finnish Jäger battalion, friendship schools, and all other co-operators.
We wish all members of the Fair Play family strength and joy as they continue their paths in life. Our family will keep moving forward with this project and continue sending the message: “Everybody is Important.”
Timo Virtanen
Coordinator.

Hi Neighbour organization in Doboj city with Timo Virtanen 1999

FAIR PLAY-DAY 15th of March 1999

08:00 - 08:15 Departure to Gradacac Elementary School (Football)
10:30 - 11:00 Departure from Gradacac to Derventa
12:00 - 12:30 Derventa HI NEIGHBOUR - Institute for the Blind
14:30 Departure from the Institute to Doboj
15:30 Doboj Sport Field (Soccer practice for Zeljenica juniors)
17:00 Home sweet home (the battalion)
FAIR PLAY DAY - 15th of March 1999
Wake-up call at 6 AM. All the gear was ready: footballs and play shirts for Gradacac school, goalballs and play shirts for Derventa, footballs, play shirts, and maintenance gear for Zeljenica juniors. After breakfast at 7 AM, we checked our ride.
We left at 8:10 AM with all the aid gear, coaching materials, and a video camera. With us was an interpreter, a bodyguard, and Satu Kungsbacka and Minna Lindholm in another car. Our first destination was Gradacac, which is on the Federation side.
At 9:30 AM, we arrived at the school and immediately looked for the principal. The principal warmly welcomed us and was very pleased with our visit and future cooperation. I told him about our project and suggested a friendship school in Jokiniemi, Vantaa. He gladly accepted and joined our Fair Play family. He also presented us with the school's computers and student projects. I thought the best thing about this school was that there were Serbs, Croats, and Muslims as teachers, so the children could believe in a better tomorrow and the possibility of living together in peace. Through this project, we could share the message of integration with other schools that need it. Jokiniemi School was a perfect choice for a friendship school, as integration is also part of their curriculum.
During our conversation, we also asked for permission to talk about the dangers of landmines with the battalion's representative, and about Kimmo Palkoranta's floorball school. The principal was very thankful and accepted the cooperation.
After the conversation, we went to see the children studying and toured the school gym. In the gym, we donated the aid we had collected and read the message from our patroness, Mrs. Elisabeth Rehn of the UN. The students we met were most grateful for the donations and played football with the balls we gave them. We also signed every Fair Play ball. The visit was positive and rewarding, and we achieved one of our main goals.

Derventa city

We arrived in Derventa at 12:30 PM. We met the representatives of HI NEIGHBOUR at their office, and they took us to the Derventa Institute for the Blind. At the institute, we met the principal, who presented their operations and warmly welcomed us. The purpose of this institute was to provide blind and visually impaired children with transferable skills to help them integrate into society and the workforce. The institute employs professors, physical therapists, doctors, and maintenance staff.
The principal expressed a wish for us to collaborate with the Bosnia-Herzegovina Ministry of Health and suggested arranging a meeting with them. I was very grateful for the opportunity and believed we could address this on my next visit. After the tour, we moved to the school gym, which unfortunately lacked sporting equipment. It turned out that we had come to the right place, as goalball was completely unknown to them, but it is an excellent sport for visually impaired individuals. Even better, there were also Muslim students, and there's no better way to promote integration than through team sports.
Kimmo Palkoranta shared his greetings and spoke about his work at the battalion. The children were enthusiastic about the new sport and expressed regret that we had so little time due to the political situation. However, I promised to return and organize a small Fair Play tournament. The principal also invited Finnish blind and visually impaired individuals to visit their school. He also mentioned a need for a tumble dryer and teaching equipment for a blind professor, as all of his equipment had been destroyed in Sarajevo. I promised to reach out to the Finnish Congress of the Visually Impaired to see if they could assist.
We thanked them for their kindness and wished them all the best. We donated goalballs and play shirts, and the principal promised that goalball would become the sport of the institute.

Doboj City

We arrived in Doboj at 3:30 PM and headed straight to the local football field where the local football team was practicing. The chairman and all the players welcomed us. I told them about the Fair Play project and expressed how sorry I was that we couldn’t arrange a sports event due to the political situation, but we could still play football. I also passed along greetings from the Finnish Ball Game Society and mentioned that Ilves Tampere would like to be the friendship team for Zeljenizar juniors.
We donated the sports gear, played a game, and I taught them about the meaning of teamwork. I also used a poster donated by UNICEF to warn about the dangers of land mines. After the event, I gave them the poster, and they promised to display it so that the juniors would remember to stay cautious.
We were grateful for the time spent playing sports, and Zeljenizar challenged the Finnish battalion to a friendly match, which Kimmo promised to try and arrange. They also expressed a desire to come to Finland for a tournament, and I promised to do everything I could to make that happen.
Our day ended at 5 PM. We had traveled 200 km and visited three destinations, all within nine hours. We had given the children what we came to give, despite the politics of the Serbian Ministry of Education. The task hadn’t been easy, and I would like to thank parish worker Kimmo Palkoranta and the entire Finnish battalion for their hard work. We all contributed one little piece to this puzzle.

Footballs for children

1st October to 8th October 1999

According to UNESCO, every child and young person in this world should have the right to study. They all should have an opportunity to get an education.
In honor of the UN’s Children’s Day, the "EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT" project, along with NATO/SFOR Finnish peacekeepers, organized Fair Play Physical Education events for schoolchildren in various cities across Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of peace efforts.
Contributors to these events (such as aid gear) included the Finnish Basketball Union, Floorball Union, Football Unions Helsinki division, Congress of Visually Impaired, Korihait of Uusikaupunki, Football Club of Vantaa, Traffic Safety (Liikenneturva), Posti, Karhu (Berner), and Nike. Additionally, families from Kärkölä and Lohja made significant contributions. This aid was delivered to schools, sports clubs, and advocacy groups in Bosnia-Herzegovina to help improve their lives and education.
Notably, Harju School in Lohja, Children’s House of Jokiniemi, Football Club of Vantaa, Finland’s National Wheelchair Basketball Team, and Korihait of Uusikaupunki united with local schools and sports teams. The students of Harju School donated pencils and school supplies to Doboj Elementary School. As a gesture of goodwill, the students of Harju School and Jokiniemi School also sent their drawings.
I began my journey on Friday, October 1st. I flew with 50 kg of school supplies via Finnair to Budapest and then took a train to Pec city in Hungary. The train ride was somewhat unusual, as I had so much gear that it didn’t fit in the seats. I had to stand in the corridor with it for three hours. All sweaty, I finally took a taxi from the railway station to my hotel. The next morning, I continued my journey with the peacekeepers, wearing a safety vest and helmet.
By nightfall, I arrived in Doboj, to the Finnish NATO/SFOR Battalion, where I was warmly welcomed by Major Heikki Vala and Military Deacon Markku Petlin. Together, we planned the upcoming events for the next few days.

International Children’s Day 4th of October 1999

We started work at 9:00 am at Doboj School by setting up a presentation table in the hallway. The table showcased Finland, highlighting our climate and Helsinki, the future Cultural Capital of Europe. The table also displayed drawings from the students of Harju School.
At 10:00 am, the principal gave the opening speech, in which he noted:
"We have eagerly awaited the Fair Play Physical Education Day, and we are excited about the cooperation with the Finnish, for the Finnish peacekeepers helped repair our school’s gym, locker rooms, and bathrooms. Now, it is time to celebrate peace efforts and, in honor of International Children’s Day, organize a Fair Play Day—a chance for the children to play games. The purpose of all this is to spread the message of tolerance and cooperation in this region. I welcome the Finnish, IPTF (UN International Police), students, teachers, and members of local sports clubs to this joyful event."
In my statement, I brought greetings from our patroness Mrs. Elisabeth Rehn from the UN and from our Finnish co-operators. I also thanked the school and local sports clubs for their cooperation.
After the speeches, the Fair Play games began. We played football, floorball, and basketball. The participants included SFOR, IPTF, teachers, students, and members of local sports clubs. The atmosphere in the auditorium was fantastic. Almost 300 students enjoyed the sports and cheered for the players of the teams. All of the games were played in the spirit of Fair Play. In these moments of playing together, we built trust and a deeper connection to peacekeeping work in the hearts of the local people.
The teachers expressed a wish that we would return and make this event an annual friendship celebration. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make that promise because our funding was currently insufficient (such as from the Ministry of Education, for example). However, I promised to stay in touch and seek ways to continue helping.
In the end, we had created a happy event, and we distributed the aid gear to the school and sports clubs.

Gradacac

Fair Play Day was held at Hasan Kikic School, which is a friendship school with Jokiniemi Children’s House.After the national anthem of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the principal’s speech, Finnish SFOR Battalion’s military pastor, Tom Säilä, addressed the students, thanking them and the people of the village for creating such a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere. His speech received a round of applause from the students.
The Fair Play games included volleyball, indoor football, basketball, and floorball. The event was full of great energy and positive feelings. The autographs of the peacekeepers were a hit among the students. Floorball was a new game in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and we brought the Finnish Floorball Union’s rules for the game. We also distributed paddles donated by Berner Oy and gave out all the other aid gear we had collected for the school and the local wheelchair basketball team.

Gradacac school. Everybody is important day

6th of October 1999, Doboj

We visited disabled and dysphasic children. We promised to send educational materials from Finland’s PE and Sports for Disabled Organization.
In the afternoon, the aid truck arrived at the battalion, and we distributed the aid gear to the sport clubs and the Hi Neighbor Organization.

7th October 1999 Derventa

After packing the aid gear, it was time to travel to the Derventa Institute for the Visually Impaired and hold a Fair Play event there. The Institute was very pleased to receive the Finnish peacekeepers, and the headmaster expressed gratitude to all Finnish participants who had supported the “Everybody Is Important” project. In his speech, he made a wish that the future would be safer than the past.
The students of the Institute had produced a wonderful play about tolerance and friendship. It was a pleasure to hear their beautiful singing. I delivered a message from Finland’s Congress of Visually Impaired, who had also donated two Braille machines for the Institute. Another important piece of aid equipment for the students was a tumble dryer.
As a Fair Play game, we played goalball matches. The participants included peacekeepers, teachers from the Institute, and the students themselves. It was great to play, and I was so happy to see how well all the students performed, even though we had only introduced them to the gear and rules last spring.

The meaning of Fair Play games

In the evenings, we often pondered the meaning of sports education in peace work. We believed it was incredibly valuable in strengthening the bond between the local people and the peacekeepers, as well as making the community stronger, more peaceful, and fostering greater understanding for future generations. We will continue our work in Bosnia-Herzegovina if our resources allow it.

Pope blessing EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT project 2005,

Afghanistan 2005-2020

Everybody is important
U N I T E D N A T I O N S N A T I O N S U N I E S

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL:
MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SPORT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION 2005
People in every nation love sport. Its values -- fitness, fair play, teamwork, the pursuit of excellence -- are universal. At its best, it can bring people together, no matter what their origin, background, religious beliefs or economic status. And when young people participate in sports or have access to physical education, they can build up their health and self-esteem, use their talents to the fullest, learn the ideals of teamwork and tolerance, and be drawn away from the dangers of drugs and crime.
That is why the United Nations is turning more and more often to the world of sport for help in our work for peace and our efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
To highlight the role that sport can play in our pursuit of a safer, more prosperous, more peaceful world,
the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2005 the International Year of Sport and Physical Education.
I hope that Governments, international organizations and community groups everywhere use this observance to give serious consideration to how sport can be included more systematically I plans to improve people's lives. And I offer my best wishes to all of you for your contribution to this important global observance.

Kofi A. Annan

Everybody is important celebrate year 10-years 2005.

In the United Nations' International Year of Sport and Physical Education in 2005, our "Sport Against Violence Family" received a letter from Mr. Edward Mortimer of the United Nations. The message included a petition from Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan directed at organizations all over the world. The petition called for improving the quality of life for young people through physical education and sport, particularly in crisis areas.
That year, the "Sport Against Violence Family" began researching potential focus groups who might need assistance and organizing events. The organization formed an agreement to coach the women’s football team FC Espoo (Finland’s Championship League) and, after careful consideration, decided to focus its efforts on aiding schools and especially girls in Afghanistan.
The first shipment, which included school supplies and warm regards from FC Espoo, was delivered with the help of NATO/ISAF (Finland’s crisis management forces) to a girls' school in Surobi. This school had twelve classrooms serving 1500 girls.
The Physical Education Project "EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT" was officially launched. The start was difficult, as Finland's political stance on NATO at the time was quite negative, and in Afghanistan, the Taliban's violence against schoolgirls was rampant.
The violence against local schools and sports in general was so severe that the project required NATO crisis management troops to deliver the school supplies safely.
Another goal was to organize an "EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT" event in Afghanistan.

Years 2006 and 2007
We organized several sports events for families and “Everybody is Important in Our Team”-theme days. In those events one theme was to educate people about Sport Against Violence-project and to collect school supplies for the children of Afghanistan.
The happenings included home games of FC Espoo, wellness day for families in Kuusijärvi Outdoor Park, Football School of the National Team, wellness days for City of Nokia, Aviation Center of Räyskälä and summer camp and then many presentations at different trade fairs and shopping centers.
The biggest coverage was year 2007 organized boxing match in the Feeniks Areena of Forssa.

Both photos were taken in 2008: one at the Forssa Boxing Club with Mika Jussila, and the other at the Forssa Fire Station with the Lion of Finland.

FC ESPOO Womens football team 2006.

The Olympic Year 2008
Afghanistan made Olympic history by winning their first medal. It was bronze medal, by Mr. Rohullah Nikpai, in taekwondo.
When Taliban terrorist took power in Afghanistan, they forbid training sports, listening music and studying in schools. In year 2001 NATO´s ISAF group came and started helping people of Afghanistan. After that things got a better and even school system opened for girls too.
Still Taliban´s attacked many times against children, who went to school, tried to train sports or listened music.
That first Olympic medal was meaningful for it spreads the fair play-spirit and inspires children to train and study for a better life.
The Lion of Finland, started boxing training and boxes himself in goodwill-matches to help schools, sports and children of Afghanistan and to advance the peace work

Physical Education by Martial Arts
The popularity of martial arts has significantly grown in Afghan culture. One indication was the bronze medal in Taekwon-do in Olympic Games of Peking year 2008.
This popularity was the reason to underscore the meaning of sports in peace work. Sport Against Violence-project gave an opportunity to spread the message of peaceful competing in sports by boxing.
For promoting this idea, several Sport Against Violence-boxing matches were organized in Finland. One of the main goals in those events was to enhance the knowledge about Afghan school children´s circumstances among both media and public.
The purpose of those events was also to collect school supplies for Afghani children.
Heavy weight boxing is not a job for a lazy man. It requires uncompromising work and top coaching. “The Lion of Finland” started training for the project first with Boxers of Forssa years 2007-2008 and then 2009-2010 with Veli-Matti Välimäki, who became the head coach in this project. Help in training and valuable tips gave Mr Auvo Niiniketo and Helsinki Police Force Athletes. World Champion Juhani Äijö (70 years, R.I.P 20th December 2013 ) helped with the power training and menthal coach was provided by Mr Jouko Grip, a legend in paralympics.
Many coaches and martial arts sport clubs joined the project. The objective was to support learning in general in Afghanistan and to execute the work for peace by sports in cooperation with schools of Afghanistan and the Olympic Organisation.
There wasn´t much time for the September 2011 Sport Against Violence-heavy weight boxing match in Afghanistan, so the training program was very hard and intent.

The Lion of Finland trained at the Finnish Sport Institute during the 2009–2010 training camp.

Coach
To achieve ones goals, an athlete must have a professional coach, who uncompromisingly whips the trainee forward. Fortunately “The Lion of Finland” was lucky enough to get Finland´s best boxing- and personal trainer, Veli-Matti Välimäki, to train him.
Without Vellu´s coaching and unconditional demands for laborious physical training it would have been impossible to achieve the condition to go to Afghanistan and fight in the Sport Against Violence-day match.
A coach must know his trainees pros and cons and how to strengthen all to maximize the outcome. A good coach is a major support and Vellu´s presence and demanding training program made it possible to reach needed physical state in a very short period of time. As the results started to show it helped also with the mental attitude and the trust, that the trip to Afghanistan will happen.
The procedure between a trainer and a trainee is founded on trust, honesty, believing in reaching the goal and above all, absolute will of victory, determination in reaching goals. In this case, the objectives were working for peace in the crises areas and support the World Childrens future.
Although Vellu could not travel to Afghanistan, for financial difficulties on the project, he was present in spirit by all he instructed, both mentally and physically. The power that Vellu gave was the power of a champion. In this case the objective was to help to prevent violence in crises areas, especially in schools and create a better, safer environment for children in school and sports. Basic idea in sports was; never give up, always fight like a lion.

Boxing coach Veli-Matti Välimäki " Vellu"

The Lion Of Finland and coaches Juhani - Äijö (R.I.P) & paralympic legend Jouko Grip.

Mental training
In sports and outside playing fields, misfortunes come from time to time. Knowing how to win those reefs in life demands mental strength and also support from your friends. Alienation in sports, and in life, is not an easy road to travel. For some people that road is harder and all of us won´t reach our goals in sports or in life.
It is important to maintain our mental health as carefully as physical. That gives us the needed power to overcome difficulties.
One very important thing to learn is that winning in little things can be enough. Small brooks grow into big rivers.
That philosophy in training and support in mental power “The Lion of Finland” got from Fair Sport Trainer and Power Trainer Juhani Äijö and Mental Trainer Jouko Grip.
Afghanistan is not an easy place for sports training, for Taliban government all sports were forbidden and that´s why the trip there demanded very effective mental preparation, to pull through Sport Against Violence-physical education day from planning to execution.
One of the central points was “nobody has to be alone”.

Mr Jouko Grip year 2006 Paralympic HALL OF FAME.

Jouko Grip coaching The Lion of Finland. Never give up.

Publicity
The meaning and success of Sport Against Violence-project in Afghanistan asked for a lot of will power and both physical and mental capacity. Projects success required much publicity in media.
The big question was how to do it, since the political situation and attitude in Finland was quite opposite to NATO.
In Afghanistan the role of NATO was significant for Taliban had activated again and they attacked against girl schools and sport clubs and threatened with violence and even bomb strikes.
Visibility in our good work for peace and the right to education, sports and music is essential for the more people know about the situation in Afghanistan, the more they demand human rights for children who live in constant shadow of the war.
It takes time and a lot of work, but someday the spirit of Fair Play will hopefully be taken for granted all over the world, in Afghanistan too.
Drawing attention to a good cause, even risking ones own reputation, is worthwhile if it gives good publicity to a worthy cause. EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT - Sport Against Violence has all the best intent, to challenge everybody working for peace, educating children and offering the joy of sports for everyone. The children of crisis areas learn to live in peace if they are given a chance.
The boxing challenge for Nikolai Valuev (YouTube.com: The Lion of Finland), reports to media during the project and constant updating in Facebook have been the ways to stay active in publicity..

Power Assistant Coach Mr. Arto Hannolin and the Lion of Finland present a challenge to Mr. Heavyweight World Champion Nikolai Valuev.

“In our Team everybody is important”-
Physical Education Days
During the collecting school materials for Afghanistan, we organized many “In our Team Everybody is Important”-physical education theme days for families. The priority was to educate in health care, safety, preventive action in home- and school areas and to underscore the meaning of sport especially for young who have become marginalized.
Those happenings were about several sports, conducted by top coaches, in many checkpoints. Positive interaction and the joy of succeeding made the learning experience far more invigorating than sitting inside, listening a lecture would have been.
Same kind of theme days were organized for many companies too, as a part of their welfare program. After theme days many work communities gave a contribution to our collection of school supplies.

The Lion of Finland Loppi outdoor centre

Our teams ” Everybody is important physical education`s training camps : Nokia city & Forssa boxing club.

School materials – first transport
All the collecting for school materials paid off and we got a lot of material to transport to Afghanistan. First school to get aid, was Surob girl school 1500 students, in November 2006.
During years 2005-2011 we delivered tens of thousands school materials for many schools. The meaning of one pencil is insignificant in Finland, but it gets a whole new meaning, if it is your only one and if you sometimes even risk your life just to go to school, dreaming about a better future.
It was quite unpleasant to read in Finland some political opinions, that suggested we should stay out and not help, because it is Afghanistan´s own problem and too expensive operation.

School materials were packed in 2008 and began their journey to Afghanistan. The first stop was the Pori airbase, from where they were flown to Afghanistan.

Top coaches and sport clubs co-operateMany top coaches and sports clubs got involved in collecting school materials with the 'Sport Against Violence' project for children of Afghanistan.
By the internet, the message spread around the world and many martial arts coaches, masters and athletes joined and gave their support for getting the cause more coverage in the media. The martial arts family is a very effective and important support when significant information must get to people's knowledge.
The project involved many different martial arts, which underscores the meaning of precautionary action against violence outside the gyms and sports arenas. For example, boxing, karate, taekwondo and kung fu were presented in the Sport Against Violence-theme day in Afghanistan.
17.08.2011 The Olympic Organisation of Afghanistan also joined the family of coaches and sports clubs.

Auvo Niiniketo bought school materials to Afghanistan´s schools

Pencils for schools of Afghanistan
Is studying a matter of course for all of us?
When you have a pencil in your hand, you can learn to draw, write and even count with numbers. That little pencil is one of the most important things when it comes to learning. Of course you need a good teacher too, one who cares about you and makes sure you internalize information vital to your learning.
Of course you need other equipment too, like books and at some point, computers, but it all starts with the attitude, hunger of knowledge, the courage to ask.
A good teacher, reading and writing are essential for learning.
In Afghanistan many children would like to go to school, but in some areas extremist movements prevent it.
The attitude, especially about girls education, is negative and many people protest against educating children too much.
You can help those children, who defy the dangers and difficulties, by giving a pencil. By giving something so little, you actually give a lot. You give a chance. That pencil in your hand, the one you don´t even need, don´t throw it away. You can circle the good and make learning little bit easier for some child far away.

Frontier Guards helping 'Sport against violence' project with school materials Afghanistan's schools.

Viipuri Boxers club helping Sport against violence project

Against terrorism in schools
Picture this: there´s a school for girls in your neighbourhood. Every morning, you see little girls walking there, wanting to learn to read and write. One morning, you notice a truck full of men, faces covered and fully armed, attacking those children just because they want an education.
In Western countries, we take education for granted. We make sure that schools are safe for our children and that traffic is well organised near schools. We make sure that every child gets to go to school. We no longer have to fight for that right.
In Afghanistan, children need help. NATO has helped to organise the possibility for education in many areas by making the environments safer for both children and teachers.

Pro –Russian members attack against EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT project outdoor training centre year 2008

Towards Afghanistan
At last it is time to travel to Afghanistan. What made this trip possible? I needed top coaches, a great team to work with in the gym, slopes, water running, sparring. Help was also needed in arranging few shows for collecting the school materials.
I needed and got mental training and belief that this journey would actualize. I´ve even needed some luck and lots of Finnish gut to pull through.
This project has had ups and downs. It all started after UN made an appeal to Fair Sport Institute for precautionary actions against terrorism in schools by Physical Education. It was quite obvious, that politics might be an obstacle. I just didn´t want to let it stop me doing the right thing.
Before my departure I looked back and gratefully remembered the time I spent in Räyskälä Aviation Centre, parachuting and glider flying. I remembered my work as a programmer in City of Vantaa´s Outdoor Centre, Kuusijärvi, as we were chosen one of the ten best trip destinations in Finland.
I remembered my friends who believed in me and this project to help children and peace work by sport.
It is time, time we´ve been training for. Time to travel to Kabul to celebrate EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT - Sport Against Violence Day 17th August 2011 in Marefat High School yard at 8.00am.
I want to thank Sport Against Violence-Team for the opportunity to share many precious moments with you. We truly believe, that no one is left alone.

The Lion of Finland Itinerary
13th of August 2011 I started my journey. I flew with Turkish Airlines from Helsinki to Istanbul and from there to Kabul. After the long and weary flight I was happily surprised because Finnish Ambassador Pauli Järvenpää was at the airport to greet me. After salutation we drove to Embassy of Finland.
After the long flight I needed some rest, but also as much information about the area as possible. Although it was the time of Ramadan, Taliban´s had made a suicide attack on the day of my arrival (14th of August) against the local governor and killed nineteen people. The strike happened quite close. It was what it was, I had to concentrate on my boxing match.

Music school ANIM
The day before the match, we visited The Music School of Kabul. The students were homeless, and they were given a chance to improve their lives by that school. I got the pleasure of listening to several performances and was surprised how good they played after such a short time of practising. It was wonderful.
When Taliban ruled Afghanistan, school, music and sport were forbidden.
We also visited the headquarters of Eupol in Kabul and had a chance to bathe in a Finnish sauna. That felt like a wonder to me, I was in a sauna in Afghanistan. I was grateful for the opportunity to bathe and to leave footballs, colour pencils and T-shirts for Eupol to give to children´s football teams in the area.
In the evening of the 16th of August, we enjoyed a festive dinner and started getting ready for the next day´s challenges in Marefat High School. In Afghanistan, the food is excellent if you just manage to get some. The evening was peaceful and quiet (no rocket strikes), and we decided to retire early to gain strength.

Sport against violence project helping also the Music school ANIM in Kabul city and co-operate with EUPOL

EUPOL Kabul city Afghanistan 2011

A violent night in Kabul
The blast of a hand grenade trembled my bed and I awoke from my sleep. I was getting ready for my heavyweight 'Sport Against Violence'-boxing match in Kabul the next morning. After the hand grenade, there was a sound of sustained fire from an assault rifle for a while, and then it was silent again.
Nevertheless, I decided to try and sleep because I needed the rest for the match the following morning. I was going to fight in Marefat High School yard, in West Kabul. It was going to be quite an interesting match, for our project did not get any sponsors from Finland, so my coach Veli-Matti Välimäki or my caretaker couldn’t travel with me. I was all alone.

At 02.00 AM, I heard two very loud explosions. Taliban made a rocket strike against the President´s palace, and they hit the gardens. I couldn’t sleep anymore and had an urge to go out to teach some manners. Why did I come to Afghanistan?
The situation was a little bit exceptional because I didn’t know who would be my opponent in the boxing match or what time we would start. But I kept focus on my mission and wanted to believe in myself and also represent my country on this important mission to support schools in crisis areas and the meaning of sports in peace work.

Sport Against Violence
–
Everybody is important

Sport against violence day 17.08.2011 Marefat high school.
In the morning we packed 3000 note books, pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners, contribution of Fair Sport Institute, and left towards Marefat High School. The drive was safe, thanks to our skilled security team. The welcoming at the school was almost overwhelming, we felt like heroes. The joy and happiness was touching in the middle of all that poverty and misery.
I really understood how important education and sports are in this kind of areas.
The Headmaster and the teachers chatted with us and after that we saw great takwondo. It was very good and the audience applauded strongly. At the same time the delegates of The Olympic Committee of Afghanistan arrived. They encouraged children to study and enjoy sport.
After the speeches we saw karate by a delegate of The Olympic Committee and some members of the national team. Even the other members of the Olympic Committee joined us in the playing field to show their skills and to encourage children by example.

The Lion of Finland and left with him Ambassador from Finland Dr Pauli Järvenpää 17.08.2011 Marefat high school Kabul Afghanistan

Marefat high school Kabul Afghanistan 17.08.2011

Karate show Marefat high school Kabul Afghanistan 17.08.2011.

Taekwondo show, Marefat High School, Kabul, Afghanistan 17.08. 2011.

Taekwondo, Marefat High School, Kabul, Afghanistan 17.08. 2011.

Sport against violence boxing match
After the shows, it was time for my 'Sport Against Violence'-greetings that were translated into the Dari language by a young school girl. After my speech, it was time to go to the arena. I felt like a Roman gladiator among those small children. I did my warm-ups and practised my moves while the audience cheered loudly. At last, my opponent arrived on the field. I revised all that my coach Veli-Matti Välimäki had taught me, and it gave me faith in myself.
In the first round, my competition was the President of the Olympic Committee's Boxing Union, and in the second round, it was the head coach of the national team. We entertained, showed off a little and after very sweaty jumping around, the crowd gave us deafening applause.
That moment in Marefat school will always stay with me. Though I almost lost faith before the end of this project, in the end, I was very happy that I made this 'Sport Against Violence'-match happen in Afghanistan. I truly felt like a winner for giving some hope and support to children who live in very difficult circumstances, hoping for a better future.

Sport against violence speech 17.08.2011 by The Lion of Finland.

SPORT AGAINST VIOLENCE

My dear friends in Marefat High School.
Today, the 17th August year 2011, is a FAIR PLAY DAY. I am so happy to see you all, and want to thank your school for inviting me to enjoy together on our day of sport celebration.
Year 2005 was a Physical Education year in United Nations and all organisations were called to help youth all over the world to make their better lives. In Finland, Northern Europe, EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT-team answered that call and started planning to help youth all over the world. First country we helped was an Afghanistan in the year 2005.
In Finland many sport clubs, organisations and families wanted to help and collect school materials which we sent to schools in Afghanistan with the help from our Finnish NATO/ISAF forces.
We collected thousands of materials for many schools here in Afghanistan. First receiver was the Surobi Girl School in the year 2006.
In the year 2008 I myself started to fight heavyweight boxing matches to collect school materials for Afghanistan´s schools. I have fought six Sport Against Violence-boxing matches and this one here in Afghanistan is my seventh in the spirit of FAIR PLAY.
All the children of the world should have an opportunity to go to school, to learn how to read, write, sing, play and sport.
Sport is the way to the peace. For example, in the football clubs, you can see very different children playing together. In football and all sport fields, you can meet people presenting all colours and religions. You can be friends and play together in FAIR PLAY SPIRIT.
Today I wish us all here in Marefat High School and country of Afghanistan lets play FAIR PLAY inside a sport field and lets play FAIR PLAY outside a sport field. I am glad because I´m here with you my friends and we can enjoy together and make a peaceful World.
Timo Virtanen, “The Lion of Finland”

Marefat High School Kabul Afghanistan 17.08. 2011. Afghanistan ITF Taekwondo Academy, Anwar Yousefi & The Lion of Finland.

Everybody is important day 17.08. 2011 in Marefat High School, Kabul, Afghanistan.

17.08. 2011 Marefat High School, Kabul, Afghanistan. ITF Taekwondo Academy, Afghanistan Olympic Committee, Anwar Yousefi & The Lion of Finland.

17.08. 2011 Marefat High School, Kabul, Afghanistan. Co-operatation with Marefar High School & Afghanistan Olympic Committee

Ambassador from Finland Doctor Pauli Järvenpää's speech 17.08. 2011 in Marefat High School, Kabul, Afghanistan

School materials: 3000 pieces for the students at the Marefat High School. Sport Against Violence Day 17th August Marefat High School

Co-operate with Afghanistan’s Olympic organisation.

The Lion of Finland visited the Afghanistan Olympic Committee 2012 Kabul.

Afghanistan Olympic Committee president General Akhbar gives prize to The Lion of Finland 2012. The Lion of Finland helped schools and sportclubs in Afghanistan since 2005.

Dr Anwar Yousefi & The Lion of Finland.

Sport Against Violence
Physical education project, since 2005, helps Afghanistan´s schools, sports and music. The project has helped thousands of students, mostly girls, from Afghanistan.
Sport Against Violence-family is producing sports and music events all over the world to support schools in crisis areas.
You are welcome to join our spirit in the 'Sport Against Violence'-family.
Our mottos are “Fair Play” and “Everybody is important”.
Let´s play fair play inside a sporting field and outside the sporting field.
In our teams everybody is important.
The Lion of Finland

Dear Timo Virtanen
thanks for your initiative to support as a football team the education of girls in Afghanistan. That's excatly the type of solidarity through which football can contribute to improve our world (.... our FIFA slogan ends with ... to make the world a better place")
I would like to inform you that since two years FIFA together with a foundation supports the project Learn & play project in Afghanistan. In three schools in Kabul and Charikar 600 talented girls (25% of the students) and boys receive a combined education sport and school. I copy Alexandra Ripken of Zielundplan who is responsible for the promotion and fundraising. She will send you some information on the project. It would be good if you in way or another could join our initiative.

best regards
Urs Zanitti
Urs Zanitti
Head of Development Programmes and Services
FIFA - Fédération Internationale de Football Association

The Lion of Finland

The Lion of Finland plays football whit Afganistan´s kids 2012

Girls' music event in Kabul 2012.

Thanks to all of us!
Finally, thank you all who had the belief, from the beginning to the end, in this project and who gave your support to physical education in crisis areas conducted by EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT - Sport Against Violence-Team.
16th of November 2011, The Olympic and Paralympic Committees of the U.S.A. and the Afghanistan Olympic Organisation made a cooperation agreement.
15th of December 2011, The opening of Kabul Khazi Olympic Stadium in Afghanistan. ISAF crisis management troops helped in renovation.

Send a Greeting for SAVE OUR SCHOOLS – S.O.S. Project
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Greetings can be sent to: [email protected]
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Seven Fair Play Thesis:

”Respect the nature around you.” Nature is an important part of our society, so remember to keep it clean. Do not litter!
“Differences are a richness.” We are all different individuals. Let’s learn to accept each other just the way we are.
Let’s give children time to play and participate in the joys of sports.
Contestants and coaches! Remember to respect your opponents. Compete only in the spirit of fair play.
Children and youth! Remember to respect elders, be good friends and help the ones in need.
We are honest to each other. Fair play rules!
Encouragement and saying thank you are the ways to support each other.