Football, solidarity in Taraclia: ARBOM Cup 2026 prizes donated for child’s treatment

The first edition of the ARBOM 2026 Mini-Football Cup has taken place in Taraclia, bringing together five teams from the district. Beyond the sporting results, the event stood out for a gesture of solidarity: the prize-winning teams ruled to donate 10,150 lei, the money they received as awards, for the treatment of Kirill Manjarov, a child who urgently needs medical care.

The tournament was organized by the Association for the Development of the Bulgarian Community of Moldova (ARBOM), in partnership with the Taraclia District Football Association.

Five teams took part in the competition, representing Taraclia, Albota de Jos, Corten and Tvardita.

At the end of the tournament, the final standings were as follows:
• 1st place – FC Start (Albota de Jos)
• 2nd place – FC Levski-Trakia 1813 (Taraclia)
• 3rd place – FC Old Boys (Taraclia)
• 4th place – the team from Corten
• 5th place – the team from Tvardita

As the tournament winner, FC Start will travel to Bulgaria, where it will play more friendly matches with local clubs.

Individual awards were also presented during the ceremony. Igor Papazov was named the best player of the tournament, Stepan Vragalev – best defender, Iuri Stancev – best midfielder, Vladimir Mutavci – top scorer, and Stas Ceban – best goalkeeper. In addition, football veterans from Taraclia district – Dmitri Nîkov, Ivan Karamalak, and Mihail Valentin – were honored for their contribution to the development of football in the region.

ARBOM director Alexandr Borimecicov posted a message on Facebook, highlighting both the atmosphere of the competition and the generosity of the participants.

“Five teams. Dozens of spectacular goals. Incredible energy. The summer heat. And a real football atmosphere! All this brought us together at the first edition of the ‘ARBOM – 2026’ Cup. But the greatest victory of the day was not the score on the board. The teams decided to donate 10,150 lei from the prizes they won for the treatment of Kirill Manjarov. Football unites. Goodness prevails. A wonderful day that will remain in our memory for a long time! We thank our friends Dimitar Ganev, Milen Ganev and Plamen Milanov for their constant support,” wrote Alexandr Borimecicov.

Kirill Manjarov is undergoing an expensive treatment, and in recent times more charity actions have been organized in Taraclia district, in order to raise the funds needed for its continuation.