Kostopil became the last community where this year the Rivne Oblast Football Association implemented the project by the Ukrainian Football Federation "Open Football Lessons." About 110 children gathered at the city council stadium. Among them were also internally displaced persons. As usual, the participants worked with coaches, a psychologist, and an explosives technician.

Overall, the football festival took place in five settlements — Rivne, Ostroh, Zdolbuniv, Hoshcha, and Kostopol.

The project has been running for a long time. It has been implemented across Ukraine's territory over many years, but previously one region could only conduct one such event. Due to the war in many regions of Ukraine, it is not possible to hold this festival there, accordingly, these football lessons were moved to safer locations.

The festival takes place under the auspices of UEFA Foundation for Children with support from international partners and is implemented by the Ukrainian Football Federation across all regions of Ukraine where such an opportunity exists. All football equipment was provided by the UFF, who then organize and conduct "Open Football Lessons" on-site. Caps and T-shirts were given to all participants, while sports schools they attend received sports equipment. For example, ropes, cones, flags, footballs, and gloves.

Photo roaf.rv.ua

The festival participants are students from general education and sports schools in those territorial communities that participated in the project. Children of different ages, but mainly 9-12 years old. Both boys and girls. Among them are children who have been internally displaced persons living in the community where such lessons take place. It was planned that 144 children would participate in each community. However, for example, an hour before the start of the event in Hoshcha and Kostopol, a general alarm was announced, and parents did not let their children go out. Therefore, there were slightly fewer participants — 130 in Hoshcha and 110 in Kostopol.

As for the format of the festivals. The football field is divided into 12 squares. Each square is a separate sector. There is one coach in each, showing unique exercises. Children are divided into 12 groups so that everyone visits each sector. There must be a sector where the psychologist and explosives technician work, informing about mine safety. All other squares — physical activity.

Just as in previous years, children really enjoy such activities this year too. They receive many unforgettable impressions and emotions. It is worth noting that it is very important to hold these festivals now because the children are able to escape from terrifying realities and recharge with positive emotions.