For the second year running, the Foundation team have won the Fair Play trophy at the World Championships held in Houston
Our Athletic Club Fundazioa Genuine team have returned from the World Cup in Houston with the tournament’s most prestigious award: the Fair Play Trophy.
For the second year running, the Lions have been recognised for their sportsmanship, team spirit and respect both on and off the pitch.
Over the course of six days, Athletic Genuine enjoyed an unforgettable experience in the United States, taking part for the third consecutive year in a tournament that brought together more than 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and autism from over 50 clubs and national teams across 53 countries.
Participants included clubs such as Newcastle United (England), Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan), Corinthians (Brazil), Inter Miami (United States), Peñarol (Uruguay) and FC Seoul (South Korea), as well as the Mexico and New Zealand national teams.
The Rojiblancos have successfully defended their award for sportsmanship thanks to the energy, approachability and exemplary attitude shown by their players and coaching staff.
What’s more, during the tournament they shared a very special experience with Ghana’s Genuine team, with whom, days earlier, they had sent a message to Iñaki Williams. The video was shared via Athletic Club’s social media channels, symbolising the link between the Rojiblanco captain’s roots and the values that represent Athletic.
Much more than football
The Genuine World Cup aims to promote the societal inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through sport.
This philosophy is fully in line with Athletic Club Fundazioa’s mission, which aims to use football as a tool for social transformation whilst promoting values such as equality, solidarity, personal development and inclusion.
Beyond the competition, Athletic’s squad also enjoyed a range of cultural and leisure activities, such as a Harlem Globetrotters show and a visit to Houston’s Museum of Natural Science.
These experiences made the trip an unforgettable memory and demonstrate, once again, that football has an impact that goes beyond the result.
Because football is everything, even when not everything is football.
Zorionak, txapeldunak!
Functional diversity
