Fancy footwork and scoring points weren't the only goals of a “street soccer” festival that united more than 500 youth Saturday at La Sabana park, on the western edge of San José. Team work, determination and conflict resolution were among the life skills honed during the event, according to a statement from the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF), one of the organizers.

The festival complemented programs being carried out by the nonprofit Fútbol por la Vida (Soccer for Life) in more than 19 low-income communities around the country. These initiatives give children the opportunity to play soccer and also work on building skills that can help them succeed and avoid common pitfalls such as violence and drug use.

“Sports are vital because they are an effective way for children and youth to play, share and develop all of their potential. It's an opportunity to promote the rights of the child in a fun way and strengthen values like solidarity, respect, equality and teamwork,” said Seija Toro, UNICEF representative in Costa Rica.

Studies have shown that sports contribute not only to physical health, but also to mental well-being and positive social interaction among children, the statement said. Soccer and other sports can promote self-esteem, reduce stress and prevent depression.

During the activity, Fútbol por la Vida received a donation of 600 uniforms and soccer equipment from PriceSmart through the Children First campaign, an initiative by the company to raise funds for UNICEF.