Towards the end of April at the Central Stadium in Izmail, within the framework of the Ukrainian Football Association and Odesa Oblast Football Association project "Open Football Lessons," a true football festival took place.

The leader of local volunteers, coach of the Izmail DYSCH Sergei Raylyan, completed preliminary training at the all-Ukrainian seminar of the UAF and put his acquired knowledge into practice with the help of school administration (principal — Olena Rudenko), coaches from FC "Izmail" Yuri Burlaka and Serhiy Savelya, other volunteers, and older students — young leaders.

Photo by OOFU

The main participants of the project, children from the Izmail community, had a good opportunity to communicate, play, better get to know each other and feel the support of friends, learn important knowledge about mine safety, as well as receive psychological support.

Group photos, t-shirts, and certificates for participants also leave pleasant memories, and certainly, new future football stars like Ronaldo and Messi are joining in.

The organizers thanked the UAF, which provided various sports equipment for the implementation of the project and further football activities in the community: balls, cones, flags, jump ropes, barriers, gloves, rings, foldable goals, etc.

Photo by OOFU

The Ukrainian Football Association and oblast associations football project "Open Football Lessons," supported by UEFA, is:

• psychosocial support for children of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, children of internally displaced persons, and war-affected children;
• unification and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment, participants regardless of ability level, gender, as well as participation of children with special educational needs;
• safety knowledge in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football — joy from the game instead of any price for results;
• nurturing a healthy lifestyle;
• fostering volunteerism;
• activating local communities through intersectoral networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons, etc.).

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