With the support of the Mykolaiv branch of the Coordination Center of the UAFC, a tournament for teams from united territorial communities took place
Ukraine plays football even during wartime. For football is not only a unifier that brings positive emotions but also provides psychological support to people who have been experiencing a full-scale invasion by Russian troops for two months.
Photo by the press service of the UAF
Ukraine plays football even during wartime. Because football not only unites and brings positive emotions but also provides psychological support to people who have been experiencing a full-scale invasion by Russian troops for two months now. Such an emotional release for the frontline Mykolaiv region was a football tournament in the town of Arbuzinka, which took place over the weekend.
At the initiative of the head of the Arbuzinka Territorial Community and the district football federation, Yevheniy Travyanka, with the support of the Coordination Center of the Football Federation of Ukraine in Mykolaiv Oblast, a football tournament took place at the "Kolos" stadium.
Photo by the press service of the Football Federation of Ukraine
Three teams participated in the competition — the teams of Arbuzinka and Bratska Territorial Communities, as well as a combined team of players from Voznesenska, Pervomaiska, and Mykolaivska Territorial Communities.
The participants played in a "11 on 11" format with two halves of 25 minutes each under a round-robin system. The strongest team according to the match results was the home team, which won both matches.
Photo by the press service of the Football Federation of Ukraine
However, sporting goals were secondary as participants and spectators gathered on the stands had the opportunity to simply enjoy football and take a break from the harsh reality of war.
Photo by the press service of the Football Federation of Ukraine
The first deputy head of the Mykolaiv Oblast Football Association, Oleksandr Balakyn, who directly participated in the competition, conveyed greetings and words of support to the participants from the regional association's chairman Oleksandr Pasichnyy.
Photo by the press service of the Football Federation of Ukraine
"Mykolaiv Oblast has been under fire for two months now. Russian rockets and shells are constantly falling on us. Psychologically, it is very difficult to live with the understanding that every incoming strike hurts our land and people. Therefore, such a tournament — an incredible initiative in tough times — Ukraine won! I am sure the competition provided emotional support to those who managed to take a short break from the aggressor's bombardments and the destructive consequences they cause throughout the region and country as a whole," said Oleksandr Balakyn.
