"Open Football Festivals" at Voznesensky School in Chernigiv region

On Friday, September 12, at the Voznesensky school in the Zolotonosha district of Cherkasy, "Open Football Festivals" were held for children affected by the war, organized with the support of the UAF and CHOAF.

"Open Football Festivals" at Voznesensky School in Chernigiv region

Photo of CHOA

On Friday, September 12th at the Zolotonosha district's Voznesenska school in Cherkasy region, "Open Football Festivals" were held for children affected by the war, organized with support from the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) and the Cherkasy Oblast Organization of Football.

Photo by COAF

At the beginning of the event, project curator Volodymyr Lobanov gave the floor to school director Alla Rydko, who sincerely welcomed the participants and wished them pleasant emotions. A special moment was the appearance of Army of Ukraine Sergeant Serhiy Mykolayovich (REF), who presented the school with a battalion battle flag.

Next were introduced the location leaders — Tetiana Kara, Oleksiy Leontyovych, Hryhoriy Chuhrai, REF, Yevhenii Baranik and Ivan Dulskyi, who enthusiastically greeted children on the playgrounds.

Photo by COAF

Six teams participated in the festival. Among the participants were 13 children from IDP families and 28 children whose parents serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The event concluded with a solemn awarding of diplomas by COAF Deputy Head Oleksandr Kochergin. Each child also received an emblem signed by UAF President Andriy Shevchenko.

Photo by COAF

This was truly a day of joy, unity and faith in the future of Ukrainian football!

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

  • youth leadership in communities;
  • psychosocial support for children of Armed Forces of Ukraine servicemen, IDP children, and war-affected children;
  • unity and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
  • inclusive environment where everyone participates, including children with special educational needs;
  • knowledge of safety in wartime conditions;
  • 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 cross-sector networks (youth leaders, teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, local authorities, benefactors and others).