A "Open Football Festival" took place in the Podillya community of Odesa region within a project by the Ukrainian Association of Football and the Odesa Oblast Football Association.

The event was attended by Lyudmila Zadorozhna, deputy head of the Podillya city council, Mykola Sokolov, head of the Podillya district council, and Dmytro Sergenchuk, head of the Football Federation of Podillya City, who welcomed the participants and expressed gratitude to the organizers for promoting mass sports and engaging children in a healthy lifestyle.

Photo by OOAFA

The goal of the event was to popularize football among children and youth through an interactive and game-based approach. Under the guidance of qualified coaches, young players participated in a series of training sessions and games aimed at improving basic football skills, coordination, teamwork, and social competencies.

Photo by OOAFA

Particular attention was paid to cultivating key values of an athlete such as mutual respect, fairness, unity, and tolerance. In a friendly and supportive atmosphere, children had the opportunity not only to improve their physical fitness but also to gain positive emotions, develop communication skills, and strengthen team spirit.

Photo by OOAFA

Within the event, preventive-informational locations were also organized, where representatives of the State Emergency Service, National Police of Ukraine, and emergency medical service and psychologist participated. During master classes, participants learned about the specifics of emergency services work, rules of behavior in emergencies, basic first aid skills, and action algorithms in case of threats.

The Ukrainian Association of Football's "Open Football Festivals" project is:

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, children of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and children affected by war;
• unity and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
• an inclusive environment where everyone participates, including 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;
• activation of local communities through intersectoral networks (youth leaders, teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, local authorities, patrons, etc.).