A week at Gospino Polje brought together 'Rossoneri' football methodology, inclusion of children with developmental disabilities, and solidarity with Ukraine, all under the watchful eye of HNS scouts.
Dubrovnik has been the center of world football for the youngest over the past week. The international AC Milan camp was held on the pitches of Gospino Polje, bringing together 170 girls and boys from around the world. The young footballers trained under the guidance of the club's official UEFA-licensed coaches, absorbing the philosophy of one of the world's greatest clubs.
This was no ordinary summer camp. The organizers created a synergy of three powerful brands: AC Milan as an institution of football excellence, Dubrovnik as a symbol of exclusivity, and Luka Modrić as the ultimate inspiration. Coaches Andrea Galbiati and Giacomo Cogo emphasized that the goal is to build something lasting.
"We are here to build something lasting, not just a one-off event that lasts a week during the summer. Continuity is the only way to create strong relationships and make a real impact on the growth and progress of children," Galbiati told Jutarnji list.
The camp program focused on the comprehensive development of children. Emphasis was placed on technical skills, quick decision-making, communication, and coping under pressure. Coach Cogo explained the philosophy of working with the youngest to Jutarnji list.
"Fun through football is always the top priority. Our priority is to give every child a beautiful memory of the week spent with us. Of course, training also focuses on developing technical skills, making quick and smart decisions, communication, and coping in pressure situations. We consider football an excellent tool not only for improving technique or physical fitness but also for managing emotions and thinking faster. It's about development in all segments," added Cogo.
Although fun was the priority, the coaches did not hide that they are tracking talented individuals. Special attention at the camp was earned by Ben Đikić, an eleven-year-old from Düsseldorf. His talent did not go unnoticed, and the scouting system of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) will include him in their monitoring system. As a special award, Ben received a Milan jersey of Luka Modrić with an autograph.
"We don't want to sell false dreams because we are not here to select talented players to take to Milan. However, it is clear that we always pay special attention to such players," emphasized Coach Andrea.
What set the Dubrovnik camp apart from all previous ones was its humanitarian dimension. For the first time in history, the program officially included children with developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome and autism, as well as children without adequate parental care. All of this was realized in cooperation with the Dubrovnik association "Poseban prijatelj" (Special Friend).
"For me, this project means much more than football. It represents an opportunity for all children, regardless of their abilities, to be part of a big sports event and feel that they belong. I am especially proud that through the camp we enabled the participation of children with developmental disabilities, children from orphanages, and children from Ukraine. That is a true message of inclusion. The name AC Milan opens doors and attracts attention, but what remains with the children are friendships, self-confidence, new skills, and the feeling that they are equally valuable. That is the greatest value of this project. Sport for children with developmental disabilities is much more than physical activity. It encourages the development of motor skills, coordination, communication, and self-confidence, but equally important, it creates opportunities for socializing, friendships, and a sense of belonging. Through sport, children learn to cooperate, accept challenges, and believe in their abilities. That is why it is important to provide them with equal opportunities to participate in sports activities, because inclusion is not just a word, but something that is lived on the field," said Dženita Lazarević, president of the Poseban prijatelj association.
A strong message of solidarity was also sent through the participation of children from Ukraine. Their arrival was secured by Ivica Pirić, and the project was supported by the Ukrainian ambassador to Croatia, Vasyl Kyrylych. Organizationally and promotionally, a great contribution was made by Željko Njavro, while Frano Riđan took care of production and hosting.
The reputation of AC Milan camps is confirmed by the list of celebrities who have entrusted them with the sports development of their children. Over the years, participants have included descendants of football legends George Weah and Fabio Capello, children of guitarist Slash from Guns N' Roses, members of the Ferragamo and Benetton families, and even the Danish and Jordanian royal families.
The outstanding success of the premiere edition in Dubrovnik has also attracted the attention of the business world. The project, which combines sports, tourism, and humanitarian work, has become a magnet for potential partners. There is increasing talk of interest from investors from Saudi Arabia who came in person to see the project's potential. This is a logical progression given AC Milan's global strategy, which recently opened an academy in Jeddah, aligning with Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030".
The project was realized with the support of the City of Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and it proved that through the synergy of the local community and global brands, events with a lasting legacy can be created. The camp positioned Dubrovnik not only as a tourist mecca but also as a desirable destination for elite sports tourism.
