A football tournament for children in two age categories took place today at the Ukrainian Christian Sports Academy (UCSA) field in Tarasivtsi, Kiev-Sviatoshynsky district.

The event was supported by the Kyiv Regional State Administration, the Ukrainian Football Association, and the leadership of the Ukrainian Christian Sports Academy. Three teams of children born in 2014-2015 participated, as well as three teams of children born in 2016.

Photos by Pavel Kubanov

Despite the rather cold and rainy weather, the matches took place in a festive atmosphere—full of tension. The most enthusiastic spectators were, of course, the parents of the young football players.

In the age category of 2014-2015 birth year, teams from UCSA, Boyarka DYSK and SPORT KIDS competed. After a round-robin tournament, Boyarka DYSK was recognized as the best team. Among the older participants in the football event, UCSA, UCSA 2, and Lokomotiv battled for the title of best team. In the end, Lokomotiv emerged victorious.

The ceremony to award the children included participation by Deputy Head of Kyiv Regional State Administration Mykola Boyko, First Vice President of UAF Vadim Kostyuchenko, and Director of Ukrainian Christian Sports Academy and President of FC UCSA Serhiy Lesnyk.

Photos by Pavel Kubanov

They greeted the tournament participants and presented all children with commemorative medals, while the best players received special awards. In addition, each team was gifted footballs and equipment from the Ukrainian Football Association.

A special video message to the tournament participants was sent by United24 ambassador, world-famous American country singer and songwriter, Grammy Award winner Brad Paisley, who has actively supported Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion and directs financial resources from his tracks towards rebuilding our country.

"The most important thing is that we held a tournament in a newly built sports center funded by investments. Here we see everything necessary for the development of both children’s and professional football. Stadia, a pitch, a pool are being constructed, as well as a large football field. Today's tournament is an expression of respect to those who have put their soul into this center and who plan to open a large settlement for 330 families displaced by war in October. The Ukrainian Football Association also joins this project."

Photos by Pavel Kubanov

I would like to thank all investors, both from Ukraine and the United States of America, congressmen and cultural figures. Thanks to them our children will have the opportunity to return home and live in normal conditions, as they do in Poland, Croatia, and other EU countries. Here they will be able to engage in sports, particularly football. We are doing everything possible to provide such projects with football equipment, and where it is possible—construct football pitches," said Vadim Kostyuchenko.

"We decided to organize this football tournament to add positive emotions for children and their parents. Because in the Kyiv region we experienced many unpleasant events last year. Everyone is a bit depressed, many families are leaving. Therefore, it's very important that people have hope. The number of children participating in sports at our academy is growing, but war moments negatively affect them. Many parents think about continuing life abroad. Together with UAF, we believe there should be as many such tournaments as possible. Our message is simple—despite the war, one can and must live and work for victory in Ukraine," added Serhiy Lesnyk.

Photos by Pavel Kubanov

We add that from the beginning of September, UAF plans to implement a nationwide project "Open Football Lessons" in Ukrainian Christian Sports Academy. Boys and girls living in Tarasivtsi and nearby will participate.

Photos by Pavel Kubanov