On Ukraine's National Football Day, which our country celebrates every year on April 29, the House of Football opened its doors for millions of young fans.

Children from families affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion visited the headquarters of the Ukrainian Association of Football.

This visit by children from various regions of the country was made possible thanks to close cooperation between the UAF and the charitable fund "Mirage," which helps families of captured and fallen defenders of Ukraine who have survived Russian occupation.

The young guests enthusiastically toured a museum with trophies of Ukrainian football, participated in a football quiz, and visited the executive board room where officials make decisions for the development of the country's number one sport.

Photo by UAF press service

Andriy Pavelko greeted the children on football day and wished them to realize their dreams of becoming future football stars. Along with Oleg Protsasov, Anatoliy Demianenko, and Vadim Kostyuchenko, he presented the kids with balls and football souvenirs.

"We want more balls and to play football with you!" — UAF leaders happily fulfilled the wishes of young football fans and joined them in playing on the field named after V. Bannikov.

Photo by UAF press service

"We are extremely grateful to the Ukrainian Association of Football, which supports children who have found themselves in difficult circumstances due to war. These are children interested in sports from different corners of Ukraine — Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk region, Kyiv and Kyiv region, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Kryvyi Rih, and other cities and regions of Ukraine," said Tetiana Komlik, executive director of the charitable fund "Mirage."

"We need to support young Ukrainians who face great challenges in their lives. We help them get through this time of war and trials so that they can become successful citizens who will develop our country and lead it forward to new achievements," — emphasized Andriy Pavelko.