Brussels, 06/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On the initiative of Livia Jaroka MEP (EPP, Hungary), four amateur European football teams took part in a friendly competition in Brussels on 3 May, as part of the European Year of Citizens initiative. Amateur footballers from Sopron (western Hungary), former professional footballers, European civil servants and Romanian immigrants in Belgium took part in the “Football4Friendship” competition. The aim of the tournament was to draw attention to the role of sport in the fight against poverty and to promote sport as a fundamental element in a healthy life, as well as a way of helping to develop a positive feeling of identity, according to Jaroka. The MEP is the rapporteur on the European strategy for the inclusion of the Roma. Unfortunately, the participation of disadvantaged groups in sport is not very widespread, despite the fact that sport helps both physical and mental well-being and facilitates inclusion in society and education, she noted. According to Jaroka, sport should not just be considered as a pastime but also as a service of general, social and economic interest, which can even act as a springboard for helping find a job. (IL/transl.fl)