Debrecen4U February 12, 2026

Főnix Arena Hosts “Move, Debrecen!” Amateur Dodgeball Championship Finals

The Amateur Dodgeball Championship of the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative was once again organized this school year, with 74 teams from 43 educational institutions and dormitories in Debrecen – more than 770 students in total. The finals were held at the Főnix Arena on February 11, 2026, where 24 teams from 17 educational institutions – altogether 250 students – competed.

At the opening ceremony, participants were welcomed on behalf of the Municipality of Debrecen by Csaba Papp, city councillor and one of the founders and professional leaders of the “Move, Debrecen!” movement, as well as László Türk, Director of the Debrecen School District Centre.

Csaba Papp recalled some key moments in the creation of the “Move, Debrecen!” school program. The Amateur Dodgeball Championship was launched as part of this initiative, designed especially for students who are involved through the program but don’t regularly take part in organized sports. The goal was to create a competition that promotes health, gives young people a chance to show their skills and talents, strengthens community, and delivers a fantastic atmosphere—an event where, in many ways, everyone comes out a winner. He expressed his gratitude to all those whose enthusiasm makes this series of events possible.

László Türk highlighted that 16 of the 24 finalist teams came from institutions maintained by the Debrecen School District Centre. He expressed pride in these institutions and their dedicated staff. As he noted, through events like this, the municipality and the school district support not only elite sports but also the active physical activity of students who do not participate in organized sports. These finals—hosted in a beautiful sports facility—also strengthen the community, and in this competition everyone is a winner.

The “Move, Debrecen!” movement thanked László Türk for the cooperation and support of the Debrecen School District Centre. Thanks were also extended to Csilla Lászlóné Bereczki‑Szabó, Head of Communications at the Debrecen Vocational Training Centre (DSZC), and—on the occasion of the award ceremony—to Sándor Szilágyi, Director General of the DSZC. Appreciation was likewise given to the referees of the championship final including Orsolya Pócsi, Beáta Kozmáné Kiss, Ferenc Martinovics, Imre Huszka, Csaba Fehér, Barnabás Oláh, Balázs Tóth and András Krizsai.

At the award ceremony, Deputy Mayor Diána Széles conducted a “mini public survey” among the children about how happy the competition had made them. The result was convincing: they had a great time. The Deputy Mayor emphasized that the children competed with outstanding sportsmanship. Following another “vote,” she promised that next year’s dodgeball final would again be held at the Főnix Arena. She also announced that the next similarly large-scale event connected to the “Move, Debrecen!” school program will be the citywide “capture the flag” championship. She stressed that the content of the “Move, Debrecen!” school program is always tailored by the organizers and school coordinators to the needs of the participating students.

Final results by age group:

Grades 3–4:

1. Debrecen János Bolyai Primary School and Basic Art School
2. Debrecen Ferenc Kazinczy Primary School and Basic Art School
3. Ferenc Kölcsey Reformed Practice Primary School
4. Debrecen Pál Kinizsi Primary School
5. Szoboszlói Street Primary School
6. Debrecen German Primary School

Grades 5–6:

1. Debrecen János Bolyai Primary School and Basic Art School
2. Debrecen Ferenc Kazinczy Primary School and Basic Art School
3. Debrecen János Hunyadi Primary School
4. Lilla Square Primary School
5. Ferenc Kölcsey Reformed Practice Primary School
6. Debrecen Pál Kinizsi Primary School

Grades 7–8:

1. Debrecen Ferenc Kazinczy Primary School and Basic Art School
2. Debrecen János Hunyadi Primary School
3. Debrecen Gusztáv Bárczi Unified Special Education Methodological Institution, Primary School, Skills Development and Boarding School
4. Debrecen Sándor Petőfi Primary School and Basic Art School
5. Debrecen István Bocskai Primary School
6. Szoboszlói Street Primary School

Grades 9–11:

1. Károly Kratochvil Honvéd Secondary and Boarding School
2. DSZC Pál Beregszászi Technical Secondary and Boarding School
3. DSZC Chemical Industry Technical School
4. DSZC Gábor Baross Technical Secondary and Boarding School
5. Debrecen Mihály Fazekas Grammar School
6. DSZC Technical School of Commerce and Catering

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu