Sportunity

Last week at Sportunity was all about social inclusion and diversity through joint events with several local companies that chose to support refugees through sport. We witnessed how football and hiking can become a simple yet powerful bridge between people from very different backgrounds.

For corporate participants, these moments often go beyond a typical team-building activity. They offer a direct, human encounter with social realities, encouraging empathy, openness, and reflection outside the workplace context.

For refugees, these sessions create opportunities for informal interaction, language practice, and social connection in a welcoming and active environment.

We would like to thank all the companies who continue to take part in our events and make these encounters possible. And we warmly invite others to follow this example and join us in creating more opportunities for connection through sport.

We are also deeply grateful to André Losch Fondation for their continued support of SPORTUNITY’s Move and Grow programme, which helps to bring such initiatives to life.

(Photos by Александра Безрукавая)

Getting to know someone is often easier when you are walking in the same direction.

Last Thursday, refugees and employees from CVC Capital Partners joined Sportunity for an 8 km hike through Luxembourg City.

The walk brought together people from different backgrounds in a relaxed and informal setting, creating space for conversations, shared experiences and new connections along the way. Such activities play an important role in supporting the social inclusion of refugees by creating opportunities for meaningful encounters and helping people build connections beyond their usual circles.

After the hike, the group gathered for a picnic with snacks and drinks, giving everyone the chance to continue conversations and get to know each other better.

Thank you to the CVC Capital Patners team for joining us and contributing to a more connected and inclusive community.

📸 Special thanks to Kateryna Mostova photographer for capturing the spirit of the day.

(This hike was part of SPORTUNITY’s Move and Grow programme, supported by the André Losch Fondation.)

⚽ This week, Sportunity hosted a friendly football tournament bringing together refugees and AXA Assurances Luxembourg 🇱🇺 employees on the same pitch.

At Sportunity, we believe that social inclusion starts with connection. And a simple football match can become the beginning of new friendships, greater understanding and stronger social bonds between people who might never have met otherwise.

The evening was full of movement, energy and teamwork. Mixed teams quickly found their rhythm on the pitch, passing the ball, cheering each other on, and sharing plenty of smiles along the way.

After the final whistle, nobody rushed home. Everyone stayed for snacks, drinks and long conversations. The pitch energy turned into a relaxed after-match gathering.

A big thank you to AXA Luxembourg for joining us and helping make Luxembourg a more welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.

And thank you to our coach Omar Ramos for guiding the game and being part of the evening.

📸 Photos by Kateryna Mostova photographer.

(This tournament took place within SPORTUNITY’s Move and Grow programme, supported by the André Losch Fondation.)

Looking for a way to stay active, connect with others, and feel part of a welcoming community? Every week, Sportunity offers free sports activities for people with refugee backgrounds in Luxembourg.

Here’s what’s happening this June:

🥋 Karate with Alireza - Thursdays at 18:30
A family-friendly training where adults and children can practice together. Through movement, discipline, and coordination, participants build confidence, develop new skills, and enjoy exercising as a group.

🧘 Pilates with Tanya - Saturdays at 15:00
Outdoor sessions focused on strength, flexibility, and wellbeing. Suitable for all levels, these classes provide a calm and supportive space to move, recharge, and take care of both body and mind.

⚽ Kids’ Football with Yurii Yurii Feshchenko - Saturdays at 14:00
For refugee children aged 8-16. The sessions combine football skills, teamwork, and plenty of fun, helping young participants stay active and make new friends.

⚽ Adult Football with coach Andrei - Saturdays at 14:00
Friendly games open to everyone, regardless of experience. A great opportunity to stay fit, enjoy football, and connect with others through sport.

All activities are free of charge and designed to promote inclusion, wellbeing, and social connection.

Interested in joining? Register via our website: http://sportunity.org 💛

One of the unique features of our holiday camps for kids this year is the opportunity to meet inspiring personalities from different fields and hear their stories firsthand.

During this camp, we were delighted to welcome Dali Zhu — the mayor of Contern, one of the few mayors in Luxembourg with foreign roots, as well as an entrepreneur and sports enthusiast.

Dali shared his personal journey with the children, speaking openly about his experiences, the challenges he faced and the choices that shaped his path. From building a successful business to taking on responsibilities in local politics, his story showed that there is no single route to success and that perseverance, curiosity and hard work can open many doors.

The children were especially curious about how Dali balances entrepreneurship, public service and his personal interests, what motivates him on his journey.

The conversation was warm, honest and engaging. Beyond learning about one person's achievements, kids were encouraged to think about their own future possibilities, the importance of commitment and the value of believing in themselves.

We are grateful to Dali Zhu for taking the time to meet our group, share his experiences and inspire the next generation.

Special thanks to photographer Kateryna Mostova photographer for beautifully capturing these moments 📸

(This programme is implemented with the generous support of André Losch Fondation).