"Open Football Lessons" are back in action! Specifically, a joint project organized by the Ukrainian Association of Football together with international partners — the UEFA Children's Foundation and the Cross-Cultural Projects Association (Denmark) — has arrived in Mukachevo region, to Bobovishche village.

Photo zaf.org.ua

The project, which is directly implemented in Zakarpattia by the Zakarpattya Association of Football (now also with the support of Mukachevo District Football Association), promotes knowledge about safety during wartime, the philosophy of mass football — joy from playing instead of results at any cost, a healthy lifestyle and volunteer development. Over 140 schoolchildren from Klyachanova, Lohovo, Ivanivtsi, Kopynivtsi, and Bobovishche participated in the event.

Photo zaf.org.ua

At the beginning, a moment of silence honored the memory of all heroes who fell in the Russian-Ukrainian war. After that, following a story about the glorious pages of football history in Mukachevo region and an energetic warm-up, children, divided into 10 teams according to the number of sectors on the football field, alternately participated in a rich and varied program, not only with a ball. Local volunteers from Ivanivtsi TT and students from Bobovishche helped conduct the event.

Photo zaf.org.ua

The event was somewhat interrupted by an air raid siren — participants had to wait in a shelter. But the event continued afterward, and after completing various tasks and exercises for children, there were numerous gifts waiting: sweets in the form of balls and sports equipment, t-shirts and caps with the festival logo.

Photo zaf.org.ua

The opening ceremony and awarding were attended by Deputy Head of Zakarpattya OVA Ihor Shynkaryuk, Chairman of ZAF Ivan Duran, Chairman of Mukachevo District Council Mykhailo Lanyo, Secretary of the Executive Committee of Ivanivtsi TT Yevheniy Kalinich, and other invited guests.

Overall, children spent their time usefully outdoors and received many bright emotions that will accompany them for days to come.