On May 26, in Zalizhitsi, the "Open Football Lessons" started, which were attended by 144 schoolchildren. Among them were children from the Zalozets community as well as those who, with their parents, were forced to move to the Ternopil region from areas where military actions are ongoing or have occurred. There were many girls among them.

The children were greeted at the school stadium by the head of the community Andriy Noga, First Deputy Head and Executive Director of the Football Association of Ternopil Region Vasyl Zatorskyi, and the school director Natalia Khrapcio.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Vasyl Zatorskyi reminded those present that a local coach, Mykhailo Zabitsivskyi, had raised several talented football players (Hryhorii Yarmash, Andriy Kukurudza, Yuri Berkita and others), who played for the Lugansk "Zorya", Poltava "Vorskla", Lviv "Karpaty", Ternopil "Niva".

Photo by the press service of the UAF

"The children who are now participating in 'Open Football Lessons' have role models to follow, so that they can become football stars in the future. The main goal of 'Open Football Lessons' is to unite and bring together children who were forced to move to other regions due to war with local ones. Children come together through football, through good emotions. We don't have a sports principle that someone must win. We give everyone the opportunity to play," said Vasyl Zatorskyi.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

During the opening ceremony, children sang the Ukrainian National Anthem and honored all defenders who gave their lives during Russian aggression with a minute of silence. A patriotic performance by schoolchildren also took place, demonstrating that Ukraine is one!

After warming up, the children, along with their mentors, were divided into 12 sectors where they participated in interesting exercises. In some sectors, children played football, while others worked with balls or performed physical exercises. Overall, participants of the project had to go through all locations over two days. That's how long the "Open Football Lessons" lasted in Zalizhitsi.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

It should be noted that local volunteers and project coordinator from the Football Association of Ternopil Region, Volodymyr Yasuchenko, approached the organization of football lessons creatively. Also, Natalia Moyseenko, head of the education department, youth and sports at Zalozets City Council, deserves gratitude for preparing for the football festival.

"Thanks to support from foreign partners, we provided 71 humanitarian kits (medicines, products, hygiene items, etc.) to internally displaced families. In addition, all participants of the project had the opportunity to enjoy snacks and refreshments during breaks between exercises. Local schools received a large amount of sports equipment that will remain with them and they will be able to organize various football events," summed up Vasyl Zatorskyi on the first day of "Open Football Lessons" in Zalizhitsi.