Sport2Life, with the support of the ERASMUS-SPORT-2024 program, is bringing 250 primary school children from 10 European countries to Croatia, at LAVCUP25, to compete in various sports and educate them about healthy lifestyle habits.
One of the best and most decorated Croatian footballers, Ivan Rakitić, has become an ambassador for a global initiative that encourages children and young people to lead a healthy, active and balanced lifestyle – Sport2Life. With his authority, charisma and personal example, Rakitić will support the mission of the project, which aims to bring sports, games and socializing back into the everyday lives of children and young people.
“As an athlete, but also a parent, it is important for me to support this project of the Sport2Life association, which enables children to grow up healthy, to play sports and to develop true life values. I am happy to be a part of this story,” said Ivan Rakitić.
With Rakitić’s arrival, LAVCUP25, an international sports tournament for children and young people, which will be held in Podstrana from 26 to 29 September 2025, organized by the Croatian association Sport2Life, will also gain additional value. The tournament is the central event of the EU project S_COOL – Sport for Children’s Optimal Outdoor Active and Healthy Lifestyle, funded by the ERASMUS-SPORT-2024 program with the largest amount approved in Croatia so far within that call – as much as 450,000 euros.
It is important to note that 250 primary school-age girls and boys from ten European countries will participate in the tournament. In addition to competitions in football, basketball and volleyball, the program also includes workshops on healthy eating, mental health, environmental responsibility and safety in sports. A special place will be occupied by training for coaches and sports leaders with an emphasis on inclusion in sports, conflict resolution, children’s rights and the balance between digital and physical life.
The global initiative Sport2Life, launched by entrepreneur and philanthropist Mike Saran, arose from the need to get children and young people away from a sedentary lifestyle and virtual content and back to sports, movement and socializing. The goal of the initiative is to enable children aged 6 to 14 to acquire healthy lifestyle habits through sports camps, workshops and programs with top athletes.
“Children are our future and deserve a healthy and happy childhood. That is why we are proud to have the support of a top athlete like Ivan Rakitić, whose name and example will inspire thousands of young people to live a more active and healthy life,” said Mike Saran, the founder of the global initiative Sport2Life and the initiator of the LAVCUP25 project.”