In Mukachevo, at the V. Turianchik Sports School stadium, within a project by the Ukrainian Football Association and the Donetsk Football Association for psychological and social support of children of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers, children of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and war-affected children, "Open Football Lessons" took place.

Day 1

The participants included schoolchildren from IDP families who found shelter in Zakarpattia and 43 children from Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Druzhkivka, and Dobropillya — cities of Donetsk Oblast located near active combat zones. A total of 75 schoolchildren of different ages took part in the project. This football event was made possible thanks to close cooperation between the Donetsk Football Association, the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Donetsk Oblast Military-Civil Administration, and the regional "Sport for All" center under the support and encouragement of the Mukachevo City Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports Management and the Zakarpattia Football Association.

Photo by AFD

“For children whose childhood has been disrupted by war, who know from personal experience what it means to lose loved ones, friends, and homes, as well as how to survive bombardments and artillery shelling,” says First Deputy Chairman of the Donetsk Football Association Oleksandr Kosyevych, “football training and matches are a source of joy in the difficult days of wartime. And although it was challenging for us adults to organize this trip, thanks to caring people, all problems were resolved, and the journey from East to West Ukraine for football became possible. Our journey will last three days, filled with various football events.”

It should be noted that children who now live in Zakarpattia and guests from Donetsk quickly got acquainted, found a common language, and formed six teams which then began to engage in different football exercises and activities prepared for them by volunteers and coaches.

Photo by AFD

“Unfortunately, we do not have the opportunity to hold sports competitions in our region,” stressed Volodymyr Mytsyk, Head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Donetsk Oblast Administration, opening the event. “But we believe that thanks to the courage and bravery of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers and the resilience of our people, we will emerge victorious, and football, like other sports, will return to stadiums in Donetsk.”

By the way, one of the guardsmen of Donbas football, former captain of Shaktar (444 matches with this team), winner of the USSR Cup and Super Cup, and Ukrainian Cup champion Serhiy Yaschenko, along with a graduate of Donetsk Metallurg Academy and former coach of Kramatorsk Avangard academy Mykhailo Pushkaruk, visited the stadium. These professionals are now working in Zakarpattia, so they could not miss the opportunity to meet with their fellow countrymen. And, of course, immediately got down to work, explaining young football players how to perform this or that football move.

Police officers on a safety corner talked about behavior rules during air raids, mine safety, modeled various situations arising during active combat operations, helped children find the right solutions in any emergency situation. Volunteer psychologists taught communication basics in different groups and teams, performed exercises allowing a child to quickly adapt to new living conditions, fostering friendly relationships. On other corners, they played with balls, conducted relay races and speed competitions, honed technical skills of dribbling and goal kicks. All this was done cheerfully, enthusiastically, and positively.

Photo by AFD

While the "Open Football Lessons" were taking place, an atmosphere of carefree joy and mutual respect prevailed. Smiles could be seen on the faces of children and volunteers, everyone received a charge of positive energy. And this is very important in our times.

Day 2

The second day of the delegation's stay from Donetsk on Zakarpattia was dedicated to the game itself. First, children had to reach "Minai Arena," where local club staff offered them a chance to watch a scheduled match between Minai and Chernomorets (Odessa) in the Ukrainian Championship. Of course, watching the game of leather-ball masters from the stadium stands is much more interesting than on TV or online. You feel the emotions of football players, their passion and charge for battle, gradually absorbing the spirit of the game. And the unrepeatable atmosphere of the stands cannot be conveyed by words. It should be noted that both teams had players who took their first steps in football right in Donetsk. Therefore, boys from Sloviansk and Kramatorsk supported the home team where Vitaliy Vitenchuk (former player of SK "Kramatorsk") and Yegor Gunichev (graduate of KDYUSSH "Slovlit") played. While girls from Dobropillya preferred Chernomorets, which featured former Mariupol players Illia Putrya and Artur Avagimyan as well as Vitaliy Ermakov who spent a large part of his playing career at Kramatorsk Avangard.

Photo by AFD

After the game, its participants chatted with young football players and took a group photo as a memento. The head coach of the home team Zeljko Lubenovic thanked representatives from Donetsk for their support of his club, wished everyone good health, success in mastering the difficult science of football, and, of course, victory over occupiers.

The day concluded on artificial turf at Mukachevo's sports complex named after V. Turianchik where a Peace Cup tournament was held. In the younger age group, children from Zakarpattia and Donetsk played together. The older group saw Minai players facing off against young footballers from Donetsk.

The day ended with a friendly match between Minai's youth team and representatives of Donetsk teams.

Day 3

On the third day, the football marathon for schoolchildren from Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, and Dobropillya began at Mukachevo railway station. From there, the delegation headed to Lviv where a comfortable bus of FC "Ruh" took them to Vinnyky. In this small village is located the training base of professional football club and academy "Ruh" (Lviv).

The sports rehabilitation complex near Vinnyky Lake consists of eight modern training fields (three artificial turf, five hybrid) as well as a gymnasium. According to the official website of the club, all necessary infrastructure works around the clock. Everything is done here for finding and supporting football talents, their further preparation and comprehensive development. Representatives from Donetsk, both adults and children, could witness this.

The children were greeted by Pavlo Prony, Deputy Director of the "Ruh" Football Academy (Lviv).

“We are not new to working with children from territories where active combat operations take place,” said Pavlo. “We always welcome them. We know what stress they have experienced and continue to experience. The few hours they will spend here as our guests — training, games, tour — will be remembered for a long time. These are very strong children. And believe me, these are the children who will rebuild a strong Ukraine, the future of our nation.”

The program included a short training session consisting of dynamic exercises to develop attention and football intelligence and a half-field match. Of course, lunch was served in the sports complex cafeteria.

Photo by AFD

While children were honing their football skills, mothers who accompanied them on this trip shared their thoughts about what they saw in the west of our country.

Vitaliy G.'s mother Ludmila has been watching her son play football for seven years. However, due to the war, training had to be suspended almost a year ago.

“We have never traveled so far,” says Ludmila. “It's impossible to describe how happy my son is with what happened. He enjoyed 'Open Football Lessons,' the game of professional teams, and the atmosphere at the stadium. And training on such a beautiful modern base in Lviv.”

Julia K., whose son has only been playing football for one year at KDYUSSH Sloviansk, joined the conversation.

“Everything I saw and experienced was very interesting and useful,” she enthusiastically recounts. “Training, games — everything was great. And most importantly — the atmosphere of a football match at the stadium. Such emotions...”

"Such a base is simply amazing," trainer of Dobropillya team Alina Solohub does not hide her enthusiasm. "We will work hard so that our players can come here in the future and learn football at the highest level. I also enjoyed the match 'Minai' - 'Chernomorets'. We had forgotten when we were last at such a game on a stadium. Emotions are overflowing. I would like to thank the Donetsk Football Association, everyone involved in organizing this trip, and of course those who warmly welcomed us."

The conclusion of the trip was made by First Deputy Chairman of the Donetsk Football Association Oleksandr Kosyevych: "We tried to plan a trip so that children would have a rich and interesting program. So they could distract from the fear and stress that has been part of their lives for the past two years, and enjoy their favorite game. And great thanks go to our colleagues from football associations in Zakarpattia and Lviv Oblast, Ivan Duran and Oleksandr Shevchenko, presidents of football clubs 'Minai' and 'Ruh', Valeriy Persolyak and Hryhoriy Kozlovskyi for their hospitality and help with organizational issues. And, of course, to our fellow countrymen from the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Donetsk Oblast Administration and Donetsk Regional Center 'Sport for All', who did everything necessary so that this trip for children could take place. Our children are worth it."

The Ukrainian Football Association's project "Open Football Lessons" with UEFA support is:

• psychological and social support of children of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers, IDP children, and war-affected children;
• unity and friendship among IDP children and local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment where participants are independent of ability level, gender, as well as the participation of children with special educational needs;
• safety knowledge in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football — joy from playing instead of results at any cost;
• cultivation of a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• local community activation through cross-sector networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, benefactors, etc.).

All project events are held in regions with the consent of oblast military administrations.