Football Association of Slovenia (NZS) – joint hosts with Hungary donated 84 bicycles to help disabled children

 The UEFA European Under-21 Championship draws to a close in Ljubljana on Sunday, but some children and young people in Slovenia will continue to enjoy the benefits of the tournament for years to come.

As part of UEFA's Cleaner Air, Better Game campaign, which has raised awareness of the threat of air pollution throughout the tournament, the Football Association of Slovenia (NZS) – joint hosts with Hungary - has donated 84 bicycles to help disabled children and those from disadvantaged backgrounds enjoy an active lifestyle.

The specially adapted bikes were donated with the help of UEFA, to the University Rehabilitation Institute of Slovenia – Soča - at a special World Bicycle Day event on Thursday 3 June, which also saw special presentations and musical performances from local children.

The bikes offer an opportunity for these children to explore more of the world around them, as well as contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

The event was also supported by tournament ambassadors Jan Oblak and Josip Iličič, as well as Slovenian winner of Tour de France 2020, Tadej Pogačar, who all joined via video link to send their warm wishes to the children.

Radenko Mijatović, president of the NZS, said: "With these symbolic measures, we are widening responsibility for protecting the environment and supporting green initiatives for the wider football community."

UEFA is supporting projects in both Under-21 EURO host countries that will leave a positive legacy for future efforts to combat air pollution. As well as donating bikes and encouraging sustainable travel, both the NZS and the Hungarian Football Federation have planted trees in all host cities to trap carbon pollution and contribute to cleaner air. More trees will be planted in both nations to mark World Environment Day on 5 June.

"I am very pleased that we have had the opportunity to join UEFA's environmental campaign as one of the hosts of the UEFA Under-21 Championship," said Sándor Csányi, MLSZ president. "I am confident this tournament will be memorable not only for excellent matches, but also, thanks to this campaign, for calling public attention to the importance of environmental awareness."

As part of a commitment to compensate for all greenhouse gas emissions generated by its competitions, UEFA has already guaranteed that the European Under-21 Championship will be carbon neutral.

The Cleaner Air, Better Game campaign goes further by appealing to the European football community to help make the event carbon positive - encouraging everyone to reduce their personal emissions by committing to small lifestyle changes on a dedicated UEFA-Count Us In platform. An aggregator adds up every pledge, using three key data points to calculate the positive impact made.