Football Fiesta in Spišská Nová Ves (SVK) celebrates Youth and Sportsmanship

The football stadium in Spišská Nová Ves came alive as it hosted the final of the Karol Polák Cup, a unique Slovak championship for Centres for Children and Families. Named after the legendary Slovak sports commentator who initiated the event, this year marked the tournament’s 21st anniversary — and its significance and spirit continue to grow.

The Prešov Region successfully defended its title with a thrilling 1–0 victory over the Žilina Region.

Organised by the Múdry pes (Wise dog) civic association in collaboration with the Slovak Football Association and the Centre for Labour, Social Affairs and Family, the tournament is much more than a sporting event. It celebrates inclusion, solidarity, mutual understanding, and fair competition among young people aged 12 to 19 — regardless of their background.

At the heart of the project is Ľubomír Dranga, who has carried on the legacy begun by Karol Polák.

“Sport helps children grow and reach their goals. It’s a means to success in life,” says Dranga. “What began as a simple tournament has become a meaningful event. We bring different worlds together so that prejudice has no place.” He highlights the diversity of participants — Roma and non-Roma, boys and girls — all united by the power of sport.

Dranga underscores that the tournament showcases not only football skills but also the core values that sport embodies: teamwork, respect, and inclusion. “It’s about life values. We’re especially proud that young people and educators continue to show strong interest in the event. Our goal is to keep the spirit of the tournament alive and growing.”

A highlight of this year's tournament was the presentation of the Fair Play Award by the Fair Play Club of the Slovak Olympic and Sports Committee (SOSC). This was awarded to Lukáš Poliak of the Žilina Region in recognition of his exemplary sportsmanship. During the final match, with the score still at 0–0, he admitted to touching the ball before it went out of play, resulting in a corner kick against his own team. His honesty earned him the Fair Play plaque, which was presented by the esteemed sports journalist Ján Jacoš, who has also received the Fair Play Club Diploma for promoting the ideals of fair play.

30.06.2025