The social project of the Ukrainian Football Association and the Kyiv Federation of Associations of Football "Inclusive Football Sections" has been successfully implemented in Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region, at Specialized School No. 19.

The coach of the project Vitaliy Merkushev, who worked with students from grades 8 to 11, noted: "This is my second year participating in this project. I want to highlight the significant interest that children with special educational needs develop after you have captured their attention with football."

Photo by KOAF

His student Vitaliy T. confirms that he eagerly awaited the opportunity to continue participating in the section after his first year of training.

The regional coordinator of the project from KOAF Volodymyr Maslov highlights the friendly and goal-oriented team working on the project in Kyiv region. According to him, students, coaches, and parents sincerely thanked the UFA and KOAF for the opportunity to participate in the project, as well as noted the great benefit they received from the equipment provided by the UFA.

Photo by KOAF

Main goals of the UFA project:

— to improve the psycho-emotional and physical state of children with disabilities and special educational needs through their involvement in physical activities of the project and socialization;

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

— to provide access to inclusive sports training;

— to unlock the potential of children;

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

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

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

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