With just a few hand gestures, Salim Mehdaoui indicates what he wants from the children collected in the gym of an elementary school in Bonn. They gather in the middle of the room and form a circle. Some shift their weight nervously as they look wide-eyed at the coach and wait for their turn.

Salim holds a football under his arm, and after he's said every child's name, he starts practice. "The kids are getting used to our rituals. Like the collective greetings and goodbyes," said the coach to DW. Aside from sports, it's also about the social togetherness of the participants, Salim emphasized.

The social environment at the club is important, as the participants come from a nearby initial reception facility for refugees.

"This kind of training is important for the kids because while they fled many had the experience of the strongest coming out on top. Often their demeanor can be a bit brutal," Antje Nekhili told DW.

"Here they're taught to be considerate again. The children can have good,........

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