The "Open Football Lessons" project has arrived in Stara Synyava. This year it is the fifth location in Khmelnytskyi Oblast to host such an event (previously, a similar children's festival took place in Dunaivtsi, Khmelnytskyi, Bila Tserkva, and Theophyliopolis).

Despite all the misfortunes and Russian attempts to scare us and break the spirit of the Ukrainian people, we find strength to fight for our will, and in this case – we are trying to give positive moments and emotions to Ukraine's future – our children. The project is implemented by the Ukrainian Football Association with support from UEFA Children’s Fund and the Cross-Cultural Projects Association (Denmark).

Photos by HOAF

The goal of the project is to support and provide psychological assistance to children during this difficult period for Ukraine. "Open Football Lessons" are accessible to all children (not just those who regularly attend football sections) and aim not at achieving a sports result at any cost, but on gaining joy from physical activities (not only with a ball), regardless of the participants' skill level.

Photos by HOAF

As tradition dictates, we began with a solemn opening ceremony under the Ukrainian National Anthem. A moment of silence was held in memory of all heroes of Ukraine who gave their lives for our country's future. Honored guests present at the event included: Head of the Department of Youth and Sports of Khmelnytskyi Oblast State Administration Natalia Tomusyak, Deputy Chairman of the Khmelnytskyi Oblast Football Association Mykola Kuznetsov, Mayor Vitaliy Zdebyskyi, First Deputy Mayor Oleksandr Popik, and Head of the Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture Department Oleksandr Puzyruk.

Photos by HOAF

Each guest had the opportunity to greet all participants and express their thoughts about this event.

Participants in Stara Synyava included students from the following educational institutions: Mshanceckiy Lyceum, Tymbalivskaya Gymnasium, Pasychnian Lyceum named after I. Ruso, Adampol Lyceum, Zalesianskaya Gymnasium, Paplynezkaya Gymnasium, Novosynyavska Lyceum, Stara Synyava Gymnasium No. 1, Stara Synyava Gymnasium No. 2, Dashovetskyi Lyceum, Plyavskyi Lyceum, and Stara Synyava Lyceum named after O. Romanenko.

Photos by HOAF

In total, 144 boys and girls participated in the event. They formed 12 teams according to the number of sectors into which the football field was divided. All teams had the opportunity to work under the guidance of volunteer instructors on each sector in turn. Performing various special exercises turned the event into a large-scale physical and sports activity. And the smiles of the children were the best reward for everyone involved in its organization.

And, of course, we express our greatest gratitude to our defenders who make it possible for us to hold such events!