N Irish Based Four Castles Sporting Group's Karīna Martinova Selected as Delegate for Council of Europe Democracy Event

LARNE, NORTHERN IRELAND and CĒSIS, LATVIA — Four Castles Sporting Group and FK Cēsis are proud to announce that Karīna Martinova, the company’s Senior Advisor Media Director and a player for the FK Cesis women’s team in Latvia, was selected as a delegate for the Council of Europe’s “Hack the Hate, Renew Democracy” Democracy Hackathon and No Hate Speech Week conference, held June 17–19, 2026, in Strasbourg, France. Her selection reflects the growing role of athletes and sports leaders in civic engagement and community development, values that both Four Castles Sporting Group and FK Cēsis seeks to promote both on and off the field.

Martinova was among a select group of youth leaders, media professionals, policymakers, technologists, and civil society representatives invited from across Europe to participate in the event. Through her work in women's football, Martinova has helped expand the club's community engagement, media outreach, and youth-focused initiatives, making her a strong representative of Latvia's next generation of civic and sports leaders.

This high-profile gathering brought together policymakers, technologists, youth leaders, and civil society representatives to address hate speech, promote democratic security, and develop practical solutions under the framework of the New Democratic Pact for Europe. As a delegate, Martinova contributed to discussions on safe democratic participation, particularly for women and underrepresented groups, aligning closely with her work in media, youth programs, and community engagement through Four Castles and FK Cēsis.

“We are incredibly honored that Karīna has been chosen for this amazing honor on the international stage,” said Kevin Doyle, founder of Four Castles Sporting Group and majority owner of FK Cēsis. “As both a player and our Media Director, she exemplifies the values that define our company and our club—leadership, inclusion, and community impact. Her selection reflects her dedication and highlights both her individual talents and the growing impact of Latvian women’s football in promoting positive social change beyond the pitch.”

Martinova shared her thoughts on the experience: “Participating as a delegate at Hack the Hate was an incredible opportunity to connect my passions for media, youth empowerment, and community building with broader European efforts to combat hate speech and strengthen democracy,” Martinova said. “I’m grateful to Four Castles and to FK Cēsis for their support and look forward to bringing these insights back to our club and community.”

This achievement underscores both Four Castles and FK Cēsis’s commitment to developing well-rounded athletes and leaders who contribute meaningfully to society. The club extends its congratulations to Karīna and looks forward to her continued contributions both on and off the field.

About Four Castles Sporting Group

Four Castles Sporting Group is the organizer of the Four Castles International Invitational which will feature Wellington Recreation Football Club Women's team from Larne, Northern Ireland and FK Cesis in Latvia. Four Castles works to promote professional development and community engagement using football and sport.

About FK Cēsis

FK Cēsis is a football club based in Cēsis, Latvia, dedicated to developing athletes, promoting community engagement, and expanding opportunities in both men’s and women’s football. Through competitive play, youth development, and civic initiatives, the club seeks to create positive impact both on and off the field.