Edin Dzeko, Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team and Manchester City player, was guest of honour at the recent opening of new UNICEF Early Childhood Development premises in the Sarajevo Municipality of Novi Grad. 

Attending the opening in his role as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Dzeko met some of the children who will benefit from the new centre, chatted to dozens of football-crazy youngsters, signed autographs and posed for pictures.

"I am very glad that the centre has been provided with new premises giving a chance to more children to participate in this programme. I am also glad to be here today with children, I always feel good when I am around them, and I am happy that Novi Grad Municipality has recognized and provided support to this UNICEF’s programme. I am hopeful that the centre will continue working well as has been the case so far, and provide these kids with the best beginning there is,” said Edin Dzeko. 

Sarajevo’s Novi Grad Municipality was the first in Bosnia and Herzegovina to open Early Childhood Development centre, and, presently, the centre exists in six more municipalities: Laktasi, Tuzla, Foca, Kiseljak, Bileca and Kotor Varos. In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the “Early Growth and Development Strategy” has only recently been launched, with UNICEF’s integrated centre’s being one of their foundations. 

The Novi Grad centre will help the development of children who need it the most, provide advice and help to young couples wanting to start families as well as dental care and advice for young people. The centre will also provide workshops and social inclusion programmes to help develop confidence and help children achieve the best they can.