The third festival "Open Football Lessons" of this year took place in Chernihiv region, organized by the Ukrainian Association of Football and the Chernihiv Oblast Association of Football for children affected by the war.

This time it was hosted by Nizhyn, with participants being boys and girls from local school № 15, which is the largest in this city.

Photo COAF

The festival was attended by the head of COAF Hennadiy Prokopovich, regional coordinator of the project and first deputy head of COAF Anatoliy Svystun, as well as the head of Nizhyn Football Association and honorary citizen of Nizhyn Volodymyr Mametov, who greeted the participants.

Photo COAF

On the green lawn of Spartak stadium's football field, boys and girls practiced ball handling skills and received information on how to deal safely with suspicious objects, which is extremely important in wartime conditions. Most participants were attending football classes for the first time, so they enthusiastically took part in various games and exercises on the football field. They were helped by volunteers—coaches and experts from Nizhyn's Sports School of Football. Each child felt success and received satisfaction from the activities, receiving a diploma and a commemorative project t-shirt. All football equipment and balls were handed over to the school, while separately COAF presented balls to co-organizers—the Sports School of Football and the "Sport for All" Center for Physical Health.

Photo COAF

"Thanks to our defenders, who are fighting for Ukraine's independence, the event went smoothly and without interruptions. So organizers and participants said many kind words in their honor! Children took a step closer to their favorite game played by millions. Ukrainian football will live on! Ukraine will win! Glory to Ukraine and its defenders!" — shared his impressions Anatoliy Svystun.

The project "Open Football Lessons" (Open Fun Football Schools) of the Ukrainian Association of Football, supported by UEFA, is:

• psychosocial support for children of military personnel and internally displaced persons, as well as children affected by war;
• uniting and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment, participation regardless of ability level or gender, including children with special educational needs;
• safety knowledge in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football—joy from the game rather than results at any cost;
• nurturing a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• activating local communities through intersectoral networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, security experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons, etc.).

All project events are held in regions with the approval of oblast military administrations.