A festival within the framework of a project by the Ukrainian Football Association and Kirovohrad Oblast Football Association "Open Football Lessons" for psycho-social support of children affected by war took place in Sokolivka, Kirovohrad region.

The event was opened by Viktor Bezsmertnyi, head of the Kirovohrad Oblast Football Association, Inna Zaviruha, mayor of Sokolivka village, Andriy Shchetina, head of the youth and sports department at the Kirovohrad Oblast Military Administration, Oleksandr Shevchenko, head of the Kirovohrad Oblast branch of the Committee for Physical Education and Sports.

Photo by KOAF

The activities were attended by 72 children living in the local community, namely students of Sokolivka, Karlivka, Mykolaivka, Ivanovska Blahodatnenna and Velynenko lyceums.

Local volunteers Elizabeth Klichko, Angelina Zubenko, Yaroslav Poplavka, Ruslan Chulak, Dmytro Tkachenko, Yevhen Verboloz, as well as a police officer of the community Andriy Byryan'skyi, participated in conducting open football lessons.

Photo by KOAF

After the festival concluded, all children received certificates and t-shirts from the project as a souvenir, while participating schools were given footballs and various sports equipment for further football activities.

"We wanted to provide psycho-social support to children in wartime through play, open football events, to get them interested in football and reduce their psychological stress. We aimed to divert the attention of children from negative emotions to the joy of playing, making new friends."

Photo by KOAF

We gathered not for achieving results in games or competitions but to receive positive emotions and joy from playing sports.

We sincerely thank everyone involved who promotes health and sports activities, participates in the implementation of this project.

The best reward for us today were smiles, hugs, and words of gratitude from children. We hope that football will be more than just a game in their lives but a way of life that unites and inspires," — noted Oleksii Kravchenko, project coordinator from the Kirovohrad Oblast Football Association.

Photo by KOAF

The Ukrainian Football Association and oblast football associations' project "Open Football Lessons", supported by UEFA, is:

• psycho-social support for children of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, internally displaced persons (IDPs) children, and war-affected children;
• unification and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment where participants are independent of their abilities, 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;
• activation of local communities through intersectoral networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, benefactors and others).

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