On June 1 at the Kyiv National Training Center named after Viktor Bannikov, an "Open Football Festival" for children of military personnel was held, organized by the Ukrainian Association of Football.

Over 100 children participated in the event, where they were greeted with football master classes, gifts, activities, and a meeting with a star of the national team — Georgiy Sudakov.

Photos courtesy of UAF

The festival began with a ceremonial part, during which Deputy General Secretary of the UAF Vitaliy Danilenko and Head of the Football Development Department of the UAF Oleksandra Vladimirova spoke.

"Dear friends! Thank you for your help in preparing for the festival to all those who look after children of military personnel: 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade 'Cold Spring', 112th Territorial Defense Brigade, Brigade 'Charter', Fund 'Triune Heroes', Steel Fund for Seafarers, All-Ukrainian Union of Ukrainian Women, and the Terre des Hommes Ukraine Foundation."

Photos courtesy of UAF

Let's welcome our volunteer coaches — the best among the best: Honored Teacher of Ukraine, representative of Kyiv-Pechersk Lyceum 'Leader' Lianna Kopilova, senior lecturer at Kyiv National University named after Boris Grinchenko Olena Hatsko, physical education teacher of Gymnasium No. 110 in Kyiv Yuliya Shostal, physical education teacher of Kyiv-Pechersk Lyceum 'Leader' Nataliya Ryabokon', psychologist of the Academy of Modern Education A+ Mariia Modlinska, physical education teacher of Lyceum No. 176 in Kyiv Nataliya Velikanova and representatives of the Terre des Hommes Foundation Kateryna Yaroshchuk and Karina Malu," — said Vitaliy Danilenko in his welcoming speech.

Photos courtesy of UAF

Participants were divided into six teams and went through a series of sports stations with football exercises, developmental games, and psychological support. The classes were conducted by physical education teachers, coaches, and psychologists, while the mascot of the festival — Pes Patron — accompanied the children.

Photos courtesy of UAF

At one of the stations with children, facilitators from a separate unit 'Terre des Hommes — Aid to Children Worldwide — Foundation in Ukraine' worked. This is a leading Swiss organization that has been operating in Ukraine since 2015 to improve child protection systems and reform social services.

Photos courtesy of UAF

During the event, representatives of the organization in a game format told children about human rights, including children's rights. Participants discussed with interest that every child has the right to a happy childhood, a safe home, access to education, and love.

Photos courtesy of UAF

Special attention was paid to safety: participants were offered to take part in a master class on making reflective keychains. Such bright accessories not only became a pleasant souvenir but also help children be more visible on the road at night.

Photos courtesy of UAF

At the end of this stage of the festival, children created a collective football picture — a bright and inspiring artistic note that united all participants.

Photos courtesy of UAF

The event concluded with the distribution of gifts (t-shirts, balls, diplomas) from the UAF and activities involving face painting and making reflective keychains for road safety.

Note

The Ukrainian Association of Football's "Open Football Festivals" project is aimed at providing psychosocial support to children affected by the war, children of military personnel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and children from the ranks of the Territorial Defense Forces, regardless of gender or level of ability.

Last year, the project was implemented in 21 regions of Ukraine. Football festivals brought together 41 communities from different corners of the country. Directly at the festivals, over 3,000 children participated, and overall in the project — more than 19,000 (including 4,500 girls, 6,000 children who found themselves in difficult life circumstances due to the war, 4,000 children from the ranks of Territorial Defense Forces affected by the war, 1,000 children with special educational needs or disabilities, and 2,000 orphaned or single-parent children).

Photos courtesy of UAF

In the project, a football field becomes a unique center for bringing together different people in the community due to love for football and children.

The format of the project includes not only pure football classes but also developmental fun games, communication and unity games, health lifestyle stations, psychological and safety ones — where children and parents receive highly relevant knowledge for Ukraine on safe behavior in wartime conditions and its aftermath — minimizing risks from explosive hazardous items, mines, emergencies, etc.

After the festivals are held, regular sports activities for psychosocial support of children (including those with disabilities or special educational needs) are initiated, as well as regular football sections.

Photos courtesy of UAF

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

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of military personnel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Territorial Defense Force children, and those affected by war;
• unity and friendship among Territorial Defense Force children and local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment where everyone participates, including children with special educational needs;
• knowledge of safety in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football — joy from the game instead of any price for results;
• cultivation of a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• activation of local communities through intersectoral networks (youth leaders, teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, local authorities, benefactors, etc.).