Kids from 11 communities in Donetsk participated in the 'Open Football Festival' held in Dnipro as an initiative of the Ukrainian Association of Football and the Football Association of Donetsk Oblast.

A special feature of the event was the participation of boys and girls who do not play on football teams. The festival became a wonderful opportunity for them to get interested in football, feel like part of a team, expand their sports horizons, and simply have fun while benefiting their health.

Photo by AFD

The festival began with a general warm-up, followed by interesting and useful exercises and games: ball control, passing and shooting techniques, team interaction. The children happily engaged in the activities and demonstrated true teamwork.

Photo by AFD

Unfortunately, due to an air raid warning, the program had to be quickly adjusted. But even this intrusion did not spoil the atmosphere—the participants received many bright impressions and emotions from the football event.

The project of the Ukrainian Association of Football 'Open Football Festivals' is:

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of military personnel, IDPs (internally displaced persons), and war-affected children;
• unity and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
• an inclusive environment where everyone participates, including children with special educational needs;
• knowledge of safety in wartime conditions;
• the philosophy of mass football—joy from the game instead of any price for results;
• cultivation of a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• activation of local communities through cross-sector networks (youth leaders, teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, local authorities, benefactors, etc.).