SAFA- Spanish football manager Pep Guardiola hosted 28 Palestinian children during the sixth edition of his annual summer camp in Spain, giving them the opportunity to take part in football activities and educational programs alongside hundreds of other participants.

The three-week Pep Summer Camp, organized by the Guardiola Sala Foundation, was held in the town of Rialp in Spain's Catalonia region from June 28 to July 18. More than 700 boys and girls, ages 6 to 16, participated in football training, workshops, and activities focused on nutrition, teamwork, social responsibility, and personal development.

The Palestinian children were integrated into existing training groups alongside participants from different backgrounds rather than attending a separate program. Organizers also provided interpreters to help them communicate and fully participate in the camp's daily activities.

The initiative began after a young Palestinian living in Barcelona approached organizers earlier this year with the idea of bringing children from Palestine to the camp. The aim was to give them a chance to experience football and enjoy childhood activities away from the hardships they face.

Camp coordinator Toni Aguilar told the Spanish newspaper Segre that the children were welcomed as part of the wider group.

"Here they are just one more," Aguilar said. "They forget the problems they live with day to day and enjoy playing football with the other children. Because football is universal. Behind the ball, we are all equal."

Aguilar said the children also hoped to meet Guardiola, who has become a prominent figure among many Palestinians because of his public support for Palestine.

"Pep, in the world of football and at a media level, is one of the few people who has positioned himself clearly on the situation in Palestine. For them, this is very important," Aguilar said.

Guardiola visited the camp during the week, meeting the Palestinian children and other participants, watching training sessions at Jaume Bonell Municipal Stadium, and posing for photographs.

Beyond football training, the program included workshops and discussions designed to expose participants to different social issues and life experiences. Laura Guerra, director of the Guardiola Sala Foundation, said the sessions were intended to promote empathy and understanding.

"We try to make sure the children see other realities," Guerra said. "It is important that they know there are people who live very different situations."

Organizers described the participation of the Palestinian children as one of the defining moments of this year's camp and said they hope to continue similar initiatives in future editions.

Guardiola has repeatedly spoken about the humanitarian situation in Palestine. Since the start of the Israeli genocide in Gaza, he has drawn attention to the suffering of Palestinian civilians, particularly children, and urged the international community not to ignore their plight.