UAF President Andriy Shevchenko signs cooperation memorandum with LFF and meets Ukrainian children in Riga

06.09.2024 12:30

The President of the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF), Andriy Shevchenko, is currently on an official visit to Latvia at the invitation of the Latvian Football Federation (LFF).

In addition to signing a memorandum of cooperation, the head of Ukrainian football took time to meet with young Ukrainian children who are currently in Latvia due to the ongoing war.

Photo by lff.lv

The emotional meeting took place at the Lidl Arena sports complex in Riga.

"The focus of this memorandum is cooperation and support. We will be sending our children to Latvia for rehabilitation. These will be children from regions where active hostilities are taking place — Kharkiv, Sumy, and Donetsk. We've signed similar memorandums in several countries. It is a crucial step in giving our children some opportunity to escape the constant terrorist attacks and air raid sirens and experience normal life," said Andriy Shevchenko. "Today, football in Ukraine is a very important part of our people's lives. Through football, we can provide children with the chance to engage in sports. Even our military are passionate about the game, often playing themselves. I believe that football, in the life of the entire world, is something that unites nations. So, not only political bridges are important, but also the sports bridges we are building now."

Photo by lff.lv

In addition, today, UAF President Shevchenko will be supporting Ukraine's U-21 team from the stands of Riga's LNK Sporta Parks arena. The team will face Serbia in the UEFA EURO 2025 qualifiers (kick-off at 19:00 Kyiv time).

The match will be broadcast live on UAF's YouTube channel.