Former Manchester City midfielder Giorgi Kinkladze has launched a new foundation in Georgia aimed at expanding youth participation in football and supporting grassroots development across the country.
Giorgi Kinkladze has launched a new charitable initiative designed to expand access to football for young people across Georgia.
The Kinkladze Foundation, established in partnership with Georgian businessman Lasha Machavariani, will focus on increasing participation among children and teenagers while promoting healthier lifestyles through sport.
According to the foundation, its central aim is to position football as a platform for youth development, ensuring children from different social backgrounds have access to opportunities within the game.
Kinkladze, widely regarded as one of Georgia’s most recognisable footballers and best known internationally for his time at Manchester City in the late 1990s, said the initiative reflects a long-standing ambition to give younger generations the same opportunities he experienced through the sport.
“For me, football has always been about freedom and joy. By creating this foundation, I want to pass that feeling on to today’s children. Our goal is to steer young people away from the streets, inspire them to embrace a healthy lifestyle, and show them that with dedication and hard work, any dream is achievable. Football is the best teacher,” says Kinkladze.
Grassroots focus
The foundation will concentrate on grassroots programmes designed to increase youth engagement with football across Georgia, particularly among communities where access to organised sport may be limited.
Grassroots investment has become an increasing priority across European football, with national federations and private initiatives seeking to widen participation pipelines while supporting the long-term sustainability of the sport.
The organisation will be led by Machavariani as President, with the businessman bringing experience from his involvement in sports-related ventures in the country.
“Our mission is to help young people realize their potential. We want to support talented children in finding their path, while also encouraging as many young people as possible to discover sport as an essential part of a healthy and active lifestyle. Every child who becomes involved in sport is part of a better future for our society,” Machavariani says.
Private investment in Georgian football
The launch of the foundation also reflects growing private-sector involvement in Georgian sport. Machavariani is the founder of SMH Global, a company which has supported football development projects in Georgia for more than a decade.
According to the organisation, the creation of the Kinkladze Foundation represents the latest step in these efforts, with a focus on supporting youth development pathways and expanding access to football nationwide.
Georgia has experienced renewed international attention in football in recent years, particularly following the emergence of players such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the national team’s qualification for major international tournaments.
While elite success has helped raise the sport’s profile, initiatives such as the Kinkladze Foundation aim to ensure that the growth of the game is matched by investment at grassroots level.
