Project "Open Football Festivals" in Poltava Oblast

Within the framework of the Ukrainian Football Association and Poltava Football Association project "Open Football Festivals", events took place at two locations — at the Novosanjarivska DYSKh base and Rozsohenska gymnasium.

Project "Open Football Festivals" in Poltava Oblast

AFP photo

Within the framework of the Ukrainian Football Association and Poltava Oblast Football Association project "Open Football Festivals," events took place at two locations in Poltava Oblast — at the Novosanjarivska DYSKh and Rozsohenska Gymnasium.

The goal of these events, which involved 36 participants at each location, was to provide psychological support to children in wartime conditions and help internally displaced children through football. Additionally, the children learned about mine safety in a game format.

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The events were attended by the executive director of AAFP Volodymyr Chesnakov, who presented participants with sports equipment from UFA and AAFP. After the festival, this equipment will remain at educational institutions for use during section classes and other mass sporting events. All festival participants also received t-shirts and certificates.

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Local volunteer leader Dmytro Fomenko noted: "Thank you for the help and support of the festival to the director of Rozsohenska Gymnasium Yevgeny Ialovets, as well as the coach and physical education teacher Serhiy Tokar."

The implementation of the project "Open Football Festivals" in Poltava Oblast was made possible thanks to the resilience and dedication of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We thank our defenders for the opportunity to help children through football, learn, develop, and realize their plans."

Photo AFP

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

  • youth leadership in communities;
  • psychosocial support for children of military personnel, internally displaced children, 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.).