Poltava joined "Inclusive Football Sections"

The initiative of the Ukrainian Football Association and the Poltava Football Association "Inclusive Football Sections" has been presented in the Poltava region at the Poltava special school.

Poltava joined "Inclusive Football Sections"

AFP photo

The initiative of the Ukrainian Football Association and the Poltava Football Association "Inclusive Football Sections" is presented in Poltava region based on a special school in Poltava.

The team is coached by trainer Dmitry Fomenko, who completed specialized training with the UFA, and physical education teacher Oleksandr Chopivskyi.

Photo AFP

"During trainings, the children work together, learn basic techniques of play, and also learn to function as a team," says Dmitry Fomenko. "Of course, the approach for each child is individual. Some boys who had no experience playing football are now not lagging behind other players in the team. For full-fledged training sessions, the Ukrainian Football Association provided high-quality kits and necessary equipment."

Photo AFP

"Now the young football players have completed a cycle of training," says Oleksandr Chopivskyi. "We try to motivate them and bring them together. This project inspires and adds confidence in their abilities. The boys and girls, as well as we, their coaches, are sincerely grateful to the Ukrainian Football Association and the Poltava Football Association for creating and supporting such an important project."

Main goals of the UFA project:

— improve the psychoemotional and physical state of children with disabilities and special educational needs through their involvement in sports activities and socialization;

— change society's attitude towards people with disabilities and children with special educational needs;

— provide access to inclusive sports training;

— unlock the potential of children;

— unite children and adults, regardless of physical and mental development characteristics;

— motivate all children in mass football, regardless of abilities, gender, or social issues;

— activate local communities through intersectoral networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, parents, youth leaders, local government, patrons, etc.).

Thanks to the UFA, sections are equipped with children's football kits, balls, and necessary sports equipment.