A Charity Match “Under One Sun”

On Saturday, March 21, legends of Pirin Blagoevgrad and CSKA Sofia faced off in a charity match organized by AUBG Olympics and AUBG Griffins. All funds raised during the event went toward supporting the Sunny Kids Foundation and its ambitious goal of building the largest center for children with Down syndrome and other special needs on the Balkan Peninsula.

 

The afternoon began with a pre-game program featuring dancers, singers, and officials who gathered to support the cause and set up a celebratory tone. Representatives from the Blagoevgrad Municipality and the Sunny Kids Foundation addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of community involvement for initiatives like this to succeed. The representative from the foundation also announced that plans are underway to begin construction of the children’s center in 2027.

 

The entertainment program opened with performances by the ensembles “Pirin” and “Iskritsa,” who created a festive atmosphere with traditional folk music and dances. They were followed by sets from singer Presi and Bulgarian popstar Divna, who energized the crowd with an adaptation of Shakira’s “Waka Waka” and her hit “And You Cannot Stop Me,” even bringing organizers from Olympics and Griffins onto the pitch to dance.

 

 

The most emotional moment came just before kickoff. As players lined up, 14-year-old Vyara, a girl with Down syndrome, performed the Bulgarian national anthem alongside Dimitrina Germanova, a third-year AUBG student. The whole stadium stood in silence, creating a powerful display of solidarity. 

 

 

The game featured football legends such as Svetoslav Dyakov, Ivan Tsvetkov, and Georgi Bachev, and was split into two 30-minute halves. After the final whistle, the veterans of Pirin emerged victorious, winning 3:1.

 

However, the final score was secondary to the spirit of the day, which focused on a cause bigger than football -  ensuring a brighter future for the kids with Down syndrome and other special needs. 

 

 

Olympics President Mario Boyanov shared that the event marked the culmination of a three-year journey. The idea first emerged in 2023 during his freshman year, when he sought to create an initiative to support a friend facing health issues.

 

“Nothing really worked out from the first, second, or third time,” Mario said. Despite the setbacks, he described the effort as “totally worth it” once he saw the event become a reality and support a meaningful cause.

 

Dilyan Georgiev, president of Griffins, also expressed his satisfaction, describing the day as filled with positive experiences.

 

“For me, it’s an even bigger feeling because I have a family member who also has the syndrome. My girlfriend performed the national anthem, and all my friends are here, so it’s really a lot of emotions, and only good ones,” Dilyan said.

 

Beyond the entertainment, donation boxes placed around the venue encouraged fans to contribute directly. That made the total amount raised for the foundation reach €7,685.41.

 

Looking ahead, the organizers hope the event will not be a one-time success. “Our biggest goal is for this to become a recurring event. Every year, on this important day, March 21, so that this initiative can continue,” shared Dilyan.

 

 

Editors: Toma Krumov and Bilyana Spasova