On August 27, the Kyiv National Training Center named after V. Bannikov hosted a children's tournament called "Talenticos," organized by the Ukrainian Football Association in collaboration with the UFA Foundation.

During this event, the UFA and Ukrposhta presented a joint charitable release — a postal block titled "Next 'Golden Ball' — Yours!" This is a collaborative charitable initiative aimed at promoting children's and youth football and supporting young athletes.

Photo: Dan Balashov

The ceremony of the official unveiling was attended by "Golden Ball" winner, UFA President Andriy Shevchenko, "Golden Ball" winner Ihor Belanov, and General Director of AT "Ukrposhta" Igor Smylyansky.

"Talenticos" is a new format for children's tournaments established by the UFA. It provides a space where young footballers can showcase their talents in various formats — without pressure and with no focus on results. This is a new approach for Ukraine, but it is well-known and successfully applied in leading football countries. I am convinced that Ukraine will see its next "Golden Ball" winner or winneress. And we must do everything possible to help talented children achieve this dream," noted Andriy Shevchenko.

Photo: Dan Balashov

"Football has long become more than just a game — it shapes character and teaches perseverance, without which no victories are possible. That's why it is so important to give children the chance to develop in sports and fulfill their dreams. I myself played football as a child, and this sport taught me the most important lesson: true results come only when there is a team. Today, Ukrposhta together with the Ukrainian Football Association is uniting efforts to create conditions for the development of children's and youth football in Ukraine. Because it is from here that new champions are born who will write history for our country," emphasized Igor Smylyansky.

Photo: Dan Balashov

On three new postal stamps are depicted legends of Ukrainian football — Oleh Blokhin, Andriy Shevchenko and Ihor Belanov. Each of them at some point earned the highest individual award for a footballer, the "Golden Ball," and forever inscribed their name in the history of world sports.

Photo: Dan Balashov

Today, young generations of footballers and footballers follow their example. However, the war significantly affects children's opportunities for development. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Russian forces have destroyed 63 sports complexes and 17 stadiums (as of June 15, 2025) where children could train.

Photo: Dan Balashov

That is why the UFA pays special attention to the development of children's and youth football. "Talenticos" is a series of festivals and football tournaments for boys and girls up to 13 years old, where there is no pressure on results, all children receive equal opportunities on the field and can reveal their talent. In 2024-2025 alone, over a thousand children have already participated in the project.

The print run of the block is 53,000 copies. 45 hryvnias from each sale of the postal block will be directed specifically towards developing the UFA's "Talenticos" project.

Photo: Dan Balashov

During the official unveiling ceremony, Ukrposhta presented original works by Ukrainian artist Serhiy Tekhov with portraits of footballers who became sketches for the postal block.

You can purchase the postal blocks at the Post Market via this link, philatelic stores, and in Ukrposhta branches.