On May 21, the FIFA Talent Development Scheme visited Kaluska community in Ivano-Frankivsk region to test children and identify their football potential.

The event took place on a sports field at Hlynivskyi lyceum. Participating in the tests were school teams from Sivka-Kalusk Gymbnasium, Tuzhilyvskyi, Bodnaryvske, Piylyvskyi, and Hlynivskyi lyceums. Both boys and girls took part.

Photo by IFAF

“We prepared a case of test exercises for the children to determine their natural abilities, which will allow them to develop in football in the future. This includes running 30 meters with time recorded at 10, 20 and 30 meters (we use high-precision laser equipment that is used by Ukraine's national team). It also includes a long jump — a traditional school test, as well as two tests on coordination, speed, agility, cognitive abilities, technical ball control”, said Valeriy Zolotukhin, deputy head of the Committee for Children and Youth Football at the Ukrainian Association of Football.

Photo by IFAF

All results will be entered into a special program that creates a ranking of participants. The heads of UAF and the team leaders who participated in the tests will have access to the results.

The best performers from 30 communities will have an opportunity to join summer football camps where they can hone their skills. These camps are planned for August and will be organized according to territorial principle, without requiring financial contributions from parents.

Photo by IFAF

In her welcoming speech, Deputy Mayor Nadia Hush highlighted the importance of the project for Kaluska community. She noted that on the basis of Kalusk Lyceum No. 6 there are sports classes that raise a strong football team. There is also great potential in young footballers from the Sivka district.

Photo by IFAF

Also present at the event were Deputy Head of Kaluska RDA Ivan Shikerynets, head of education department of Kaluska City Council Irina Lukyan, head of youth and sports department of Kaluska City Council and chairman of Kaluska District Football Association Ruslan Tsiuper, chairman of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Football Association Taras Klim, executive director of the children's and youth football league in the region Mykola Vasylyk.