The 418 teams taking part in the tournament will sign the Manifesto for kindness and respect in grassroots football. The competition, which brings together around 9,000 young players in the city these days, becomes an ideal platform to amplify this message.

The director of the Oviedo 2031 bid, Rodolfo Sánchez, highlighted that the aim is to bring the concept of “amabilidá” to society: “We want this narrative to take root in society, and grassroots football is a unique opportunity to do so, as it is also a field where these values need to be reinforced.” He also underlined that the participation of teams from across Spain and international clubs will help expand the manifesto’s reach, encouraging people to understand, embrace and feel this message as their own.

This initiative is part of the bid’s broader strategy to engage different areas of everyday life in shaping a city model based on respect, coexistence and mutual care. Through sport, the aim is to connect with younger generations and foster a shared culture that goes beyond the strictly cultural sphere.

A number of activities linked to the manifesto are taking place throughout the tournament. On Monday 30 March, the Asturian teams were welcomed at the Palacio de Deportes, followed by the national teams on Wednesday 1 April. During these events, players from the various teams will read out the text. Furthermore, on Sunday 5 April, before the start of the finals, the manifesto will be read out live by the participating children as a sign of their awareness of and commitment to these values.

The Manifesto for “amabilidá” presents this concept as a response to the normalisation of hate and violence in society, in line with the values promoted by the bid. From the perspective of grassroots football, it defends respect as an essential principle of sport and seeks to extend it to all levels: among teammates, opponents, coaches, referees, families and the wider community. Beyond symbolic gestures, it calls for a daily commitment to fair play, care for people and shared spaces, and the rejection of any form of discrimination or violence.