On October 26 at the central football arena of Odessa, on the stadium "Chornomorets," a wonderful children's sports event – the festival "Open Football Lessons" 

Children from families of Ukraine's defenders, from displaced families, and children with special needs had the opportunity to communicate, learn many new things, and enjoy football on Odessa's main arena, where top-level players compete.

Before the start of this wonderful sports day, the participants were greeted by Oleh Samsonov, executive director of the Odessa Regional Football Association, and Valentina Kolchak, head of the regional department of physical culture and sports.

The National Project "Open Football Lessons" of the Ukrainian Football Association is implemented in the Odessa region by the Odessa Regional Football Association. This year, the project was carried out in Odessa together with various organizations that made this very bright day memorable for children for a long time.

Photo by the press service of UAF

On the field, children were helped with all exercises and tasks by coaches from the football club "Nanokids," players from the football club "Sisters," representatives of the Olympic committee department and regional juvenile police. The State Emergency Service of Odessa region looked after safety.

During breaks for active rest, a quiz on an Olympic theme was held. Participants received souvenirs with Olympic symbols for correct answers. Each of them also received treats from the event partners.

After all trials on the football field, children were taken to visit professional players' dressing rooms. Then there was an interesting tour of the Museum of Sports Glory of FC "Chornomorets."

Photo by the press service of UAF

The Odessa Regional Football Association expresses gratitude to everyone who participated in organizing the "Open Football Lessons" festival in Odessa: stadium management, coaching staff of DUFK "Nanokids," juvenile police of Odesa region, regional department of DSNSU, women's football club "Sisters," the "Sports Shelter" project, BF "Caritas Odessa UGCC," leadership of Luhansk Regional Branch NOC Ukraine.

TV channel "Grad" report on "Open Football Lessons" in Odessa:

In total, since 2010, 11 festivals of "Open Football Lessons" have already been held in the Odessa region: Tatarbunary (2010); Dmitrivka Tatarbunar district (2011); Tatarbunary (2012); Sarata (2014); Bolhrad (2015); Izmail (2016); Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi (2016); Baraboy Ovidiopol district (2018); Pavlivka Arzhyz district (2019); Yuzhne (2020); Usovka (2021).

To organize a children's event at a high level, the local organizing team undergoes mandatory training at the nationwide seminar of the Ukrainian Football Association. In August this year, such a seminar in Ivano-Frankivsk was attended by representatives from Odessa (Taras Vernygor) and Izmail (Serhiy Raylyan). The next festival is already planned for Izmail – in 2024.

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

• psychosocial support for children of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, IDP children, and war-affected children;
• unity and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment, participants regardless of ability level or gender, as well as participation of children with special educational needs;
• safety knowledge in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football – joy from playing instead of results at any cost;
• nurturing a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• local community activation through cross-sector networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, security experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons, etc.).

The Ukrainian Football Association, in addition to training local organizers, provides football equipment, sports gear, and educational materials for the festivals.

The regional coordinator of the national project "Open Football Lessons" is Serhiy Halyza.