At the request of Jakub Błaszczykowski*, his participation in Game With Mum & Dad project was kept in people coming only to meet him as a football star. He emphasized that he wanted to come for the children, to spend time with the families, spontaneously and without unnecessary attention.
And that’s exactly what happened. When the participants lined up on the pitch for a short pre-match briefing, we announced that today we had a very special guest who wanted to join the game. Then Kuba walked onto the pitch. For some, tears of joy and emotion immediately ran down their cheeks, while smiles lit up their faces.
Kuba greeted everyone by saying that his own life had not been easy, but he knows that it is worth having dreams, fighting for them, and never giving up. Because there are no hopeless situations – and you can always get back up after a fall.
Later, Kuba joined the game – first with the blue team, and then with the yellow one. He said he really liked the slogan printed on the shirts, and he proudly wore it on his chest, fully identifying with it.
To be honest, we didn’t get to see a showcase of phenomenal football skills from our champion that day. On the pitch, he talked much more than he kicked the ball. But that was the point. Kuba was attentive to everyone. He noticed the youngest participants who needed help finding their way to the goal, he gave high-fives, and he congratulated those who scored. And congratulations from Jakub Błaszczykowski are no small thing.
As is always the case with us, the match ended in a draw. And although Kuba underlined that whenever he enters the pitch, he plays to win, he was certain that today we were all winners.
After the match, there was time for group photos and, of course, autographs. Each child also received a beautiful backpack and a ball with Kuba’s signature.
Kuba later shared his reflections on social media. He wrote: “Last weekend I played a very important match – a match full of hope, open perspectives, and open hearts.
Labeling in society has become far too easy, far too frequent, and extremely unfair. Especially towards the most innocent – children, who too often put themselves into boxes, too often stop believing in their own abilities, and are unjustly judged through the actions of others…
Everyone has the right to their own story – a story not dictated or marked by the history of a parent. Everyone has the right to pursue their dreams, regardless of the starting point in life.
And everyone deserves a second chance, as long as the desire for change is sincere. Every small step toward building a better tomorrow for yourself and your family deserves strong and loud support.
For me, the personal nature of this match made it impossible not to take away life lessons, tears, and smiles from this special day. I was reminded of a time when the warm embrace of a parent was suddenly taken away, and the chance to build a relationship was lost… but it’s never too late. Everything depends on you, on the decisions you make!
So, Dear Child – listen to your heart and strive for the life you dream of. And you, Dear Parent – support and embrace your child.
Thank you @probacja for the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful initiative as @gamewithmumdad.”
(from the left – Dawid Będkowski, Agnieszka Szeliga-Żywioł, Barbara Wilamowska, Paulina Bąbol, Jakub Błaszczykowski) (© Paulina Bąbol)
The ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ project is organised by Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) and made possible with the support of the UEFA Foundation for Children, following a model created and developed by Bambinisenzasbarre, which works nationwide in Italy. The Project aims to strengthen, maintain, and enhance the bond between children and their imprisoned parents, and to generate systemic, child rights–based change across prison systems.
The project includes a multi-month programme during which imprisoned parents, their children and family members—supported by educators—are monitored and involved in a series of meetings. The programme culminates in the ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ match, marking the conclusion of the initiative.
*) From 2006 to 2023 Kuba was a member of the Polish national football team, and between 2010 and 2014 he served as the team captain. He took part in the 2018 World Cup as well as the 2012 and 2016 European Championships. He is a member of the “Distinguished National Team Players Club,” the longest-serving player, the second in terms of total appearances, and one of only six players who have earned at least 100 caps for Poland.
He won the Polish Championship with Wisła Kraków, became a two-time German Champion, German Cup and Super Cup winner, and a UEFA Champions League finalist with Borussia Dortmund. Since 2019, he has been connected again with Wisła Kraków as both a player and co-owner of the club. Twice he was awarded the “Footballer of the Year” title in the Piłka Nożna poll (2008, 2010). For his “outstanding sporting achievements, social and charitable work, and the promotion and development of sport among children and youth,” he was decorated with the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. For his social activities, he was also awarded the Order of the Smile, the Medal of Saint Brother Albert, and the “Honoris Gratia” badge.
Agnieszka Szeliga-Żywioł contributed to this article
