On April 26, with the support of the Ukrainian Football Association, an open football tournament "Chernobyl Bells" was held among teams of players born in 2013, dedicated to the memory of the tragedy at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

Photos by Victoria Golovchenko

It has been 39 years since that terrible day — April 26, 1986. For almost four decades now, we have honored the heroes-liquidators who saved millions at the cost of their own lives and health. Among them is Mykola Syomin, one of the initiators of organizing "Chernobyl Bells" together with President of FC Troieshchina Volodymyr Rostorguyev. It was they in 1992 who started this tournament in Desnyansky District of Kyiv, which has become an annual tradition uniting young football players, coaches, veterans and guests from all over Ukraine.

Photos by Victoria Golovchenko

For more than 30 years, the tournament has been organized by like-minded people: FC Troieshchina, Youth and Sports Department of Desnyansky District State Administration, Desnyansky Center "Sport for All" with support from Desnyansky RDA and Ukrainian Football Association.

This year eight teams participated in the tournament:

• FC Troieshchina (Kyiv);
• FC Vygurivshchyna (Kyiv);
• Sport School «Polesia» (Zhytomyr);
• Akademiya Alyevo (Bucha);
• FC Chernihiv;
• Youth Sports School (Borodyanka);
• FSC Makariv;
• FC Mal (Korosten).

The tournament was visited by honored guests: Kyiv City Council deputy, commander of the 31st voluntary unit of Desnyansky district Yuri Zubko, head of Youth and Sports Department of Desnyansky RDA Kirilo Boyko, and a legend of Ukrainian football, serviceman of the National Guard of Ukraine Vladyslav Vasyuk.

Photos by Victoria Golovchenko

Match for 3rd place

FC Mal — FSC Makariv — 2:1

Final

FC Chernihiv — Youth Sports School (Borodyanka) — 0:1

Individual awards:

• best goalkeeper — Maxim Davydchenko (Youth Sports School (Borodyanka));
• best defender — Vladyslav Lyubynenko (FC Mal);
• best halfback — Makar Grona (FC Chernihiv);
• best forward — Dmytro Fedorov (FSC Makariv);
• best player — Maxim Ivanenko (Youth Sports School (Borodyanka)).

Photos by Victoria Golovchenko

“A wonderful tournament that was started a long time ago. This is our memory of the tragedy. 'Chernobyl Bells' reflect what we have experienced. I thank the Forces of Defense of Ukraine for the opportunity to hold such events.”— Vladyslav Vasyuk noted in his farewell speech.

Photos by Victoria Golovchenko