On October 18, children from the Baranivska territorial community actively participated in a sports event held within the framework of the Ukrainian Football Association project "Open Football Festivals" (national coordinator — Yevgeniy Stolitenko) with the support of the head of the Zhytomyr Oblast Football Association, Ruslan Pavlyuk.

Welcoming words were addressed to the participants by the head of the Zhytomyr Oblast Football Association, Ruslan Pavlyuk, the head of the Baranivska City Council, Oleksandr Migey, and the regional coordinator of the "Open Football Festivals" project, Ruslan Mayevsky.

Photo by ZOFA

During the festival, children had the opportunity to showcase their sports skills, and at the end of the event, each participant received a diploma signed by legendary footballer and now head of the Ukrainian Football Association, Andriy Shevchenko, as well as a commemorative gift.

Photo by ZOFA

Coach Vitaliy Fedorchuk sincerely thanks Oleksandr Shamyra for financial support, the Baranivska City Council for assistance in organizing the event, and coordinator Ruslan Mayevsky for the wonderful opportunity to be part of such an important social project that brings children together around sports.

Photo by ZOFA

We continue to get children excited about football!

Sincere thanks to assistants, volunteers, coaches, and everyone involved in the event!

Thank you to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the opportunity to hold such events!

The Ukrainian Football Association project "Open Football Festivals" is:

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of military personnel, IDPs, and war-affected children;
• uniting and friendship among children from IDP camps and local children, social integration;
• an inclusive environment where everyone participates, including children with special educational needs;
• knowledge of safety in wartime conditions;
• the philosophy of mass football — joy from playing rather than 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.).