On September 26 at the "Olympets" sports complex of Bobrynetsky Municipal Territorial Community, the "Open Football Festivals" took place, which began with a nationwide moment of silence and all participants singing the Ukrainian National Anthem.

Photo by KOAF

The festival was attended by 72 students from Bobrynetsky Lyceum No. 1, including children of temporarily displaced persons and children whose parents are direct participants in the Russian-Ukrainian war. The event took place with the support of the Ukrainian Football Association, Kirovohrad Oblast Football Association, and Bobrynetsky Municipal Community. Honored guests at the celebration included Leonid Kravchenko, head of the Bobrynetsky Municipal Territorial Community, Viktor Bezsmertnyi, head of the Kirovohrad Oblast Football Association, Victoria Litvinova, head of the education department of the Bobrynetsky City Council, and a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Mykola Dorochenko, director of DZ DSU.

Photo by KOAF

During the festival, six locations were used: the first - "Safe", where a police officer explained rules of behavior during wartime and in dangerous situations; second - "Ball Handling"; third - "Obstacle Course"; fourth - "Overhead Throw"; fifth - "Mini-Football Game"; sixth - "Accuracy Kicks". After completing three locations, there were demonstration exercises with football and kettlebell sports.

Photo by KOAF

The event concluded with the presentation of a diploma from President of UFA Andriy Shevchenko and sports equipment to each participant. The festival gave children new knowledge about playing football, bright emotions, and contributed to patriotic education. A big thank you to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for making such events possible and to those who helped organize the festival.

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

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of ZSU servicemen, IDP children, and war-affected children;
• unity and friendship among 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;
• 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, patrons, etc.).