The importance of being active was underlined as part of the European Week of Sport 2019 with a bi-communal football tournament, the “Friendship Cup”.  Three Turkish Cypriot and three Greek Cypriot Football teams participated in the tournament. Düzkaya Masters, Güzelyurt/Morphou Masters and Batmazoğlu Masters teams from the Turkish Cypriot Community and CVAR, Nea Salamina Masters and Orpheas Masters teams from the Greek Cypriot community took part in the tournament. The games took place at Orpheas Football Stadium 14 and 22 September and at Yusuf Kaptan Football Stadium on the 15 and 21 September. The Friendship Cup also coincided with International Peace Day, which each year is observed around the world on 21 September. As part of the Friendship Cup special focus was also given to unity and cooperation on this important day.

Over two weekends 10 games were played. The winner of the tournament Düzkaya Masters, was announced at the trophy ceremony on 22 September while the Runner-up was Orpheas Masters. The inaugural Friendship Cup in Cyprus took place in June 2017 as part of the European Week of Sport with the support of the EU Infopoint.

Launched in 2015, the European Week of Sport was created in response to the worsening inactivity crisis. The European Week of Sport aims to promote sport and physical activity across Europe. The Week is for everyone, regardless of age, background or fitness level. With a focus on grassroots initiatives, it will inspire Europeans to #BeActive on a regular basis and create opportunities in peoples’ everyday lives to exercise more.