"Open Football Lessons" arrived in Poltava

In the city of Poltava at the base of DYSKh "Vorskla" im.

"Open Football Lessons" arrived in Poltava

AFP photo

The festival "Open Football Lessons" within the framework of a social project by the Ukrainian Association of Football and the Poltava Football Association took place at the DUSSH «Vorskla» named after I. Horpinok in the city of Poltava. The events aimed to provide psychological support for local children amid the war and help child evacuees.

Participants included students from DUSSH «Vorskla» named after I. Horpinok and DUSSH «Youth 2016». All 72 participants engaged in six separate locations, practicing mine safety with ball handling, scoring goals into "unmarked" nets, performing jumps on a coordination ladder, tug-of-war, playing football (in teams of 6x6), and many other interesting games incorporating elements of football. Significant assistance to the students was provided by six volunteers from the U-19 team at DUSSH «Vorskla» and six volunteers from the U-16 team at DUSSH «Youth 2016». The local volunteer leader was Olga Kozub, who had previously undergone training on a seminar by the Ukrainian Association of Football.

Photo AFP

A pleasant bonus for educational institutions was sports equipment from the Ukrainian Association of Football for further football training, and all children received t-shirts with the project logo and certificates as participants.

The coordinator from the Poltava Football Association, Dmytro Fomenko, noted: «The implementation of the "Open Football Lessons" project became possible thanks to the resilience and selflessness of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We thank our defenders for the opportunity to learn, develop, and realize our plans in life. Special thanks go to sports schools and their directors, Ivan Shariy and Denis Serdyuk, for organizing and collaborating on the project.»

Photo AFP

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

  • psychosocial support for children of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, children from internally displaced families, and children affected by war;
  • uniting and friendship between children from internally displaced families and local children, social integration;
  • inclusive environment, participation regardless of ability level or gender, as well as inclusion 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;
  • activating local communities through intersectoral networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, benefactors, etc.).

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