In Ternopil, at the Ternopil Educational and Rehabilitation Center, activities of the Ukrainian Football Association project "Inclusive Football Sections" (coordinator from the Ternopil Football Association — Vasyl Zatorskyi) continue.

More than 20 children with special educational needs attend these sessions. Thanks to coach Nataliya Baranyuk and her assistants R. Futorskyi and M. Semenets, the children have fun and actively participate in the activities. According to the coach, they gain confidence in themselves and improve their physical condition. Positive emotions and sports enthusiasm do not leave them throughout the entire session. Football becomes a part of their life!

Photos by AFT

Thanks to the implementation of this project within UEFA's Mass Football Charter, the Ukrainian Football Association aims:

— to improve the psychoemotional and physical state of children through their involvement in physical activities and socialization;

— to change society's attitude towards people with disabilities;

— to provide access to inclusive sports activities;

— to unlock children's potential;

— to unite children and adults, regardless of physical or mental development.

Inclusive football sections, which are open for children with special educational needs, operate in 21 communities across Ukraine. Thanks to the UFA, these sections are equipped with football uniforms for children, balls, and necessary sports equipment.