On May 30, fifth-grade students from the Merefiansky Medical Lyceum in Kharkiv region actively participated in a bright sports event — the "Open Football Festival," which took place in a friendly and inspiring atmosphere.

The executive director of the Kharkiv Oblast Association of Football, Olena Korobka, addressed the participants with welcoming words on behalf of the head of HOAF Oleksandr Synehubov, who also presented them with footballs.

Photo by HOAF

This was a true celebration of team spirit, friendship, and healthy living. Throughout the event, children had the opportunity to demonstrate their sports skills, participate in fun relays, deepen their knowledge about a healthy lifestyle, and develop emotional intelligence.

The festival gave each participant the chance to experience joy from active leisure.

Photo by HOAF

Participants expressed sincere gratitude to the organizers — the Ukrainian Football Association, regional coordinator of the project Yevhen Stolitenko, Kharkiv Oblast Association of Football and oblast coordinator Olena Krivenkova — for providing them with such an important social project that brings children together around sports.

Photo by HOAF

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

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of military servicemen, IDPs, and those affected by war;
• uniting and friendship between children from IDP families 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 playing rather than results at any cost;
• cultivation of a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• activation of local communities through intersectoral networks (youth leaders, teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, local authorities, sponsors, etc.).