On the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day, Kyiv hosted a special children and youth football festival called "Talentikos." Over 160 children participated in the celebratory event at the Training Center named after Viktor Bannikov, dedicated to the country's main national holiday.

The "Talentikos" festival is implemented by the Ukrainian Football Association with support from the UAF Foundation. "Talentikos" is a multi-platform ecosystem of the UAF that unites mass football, education, and modern approaches to child development under one brand. The project not only gives children a holiday but also shapes their healthy attitude towards sports, teamwork, and personal growth.

During the festival, young players went through themed stations with various challenges: tennis ball games, football darts, football bowling, "square," dynamic one-on-one matches, two-on-two and three-on-three formats, and dozens of other game formats. Each activity gave children the opportunity to showcase their technique, quick thinking, and ability to interact with teammates.

The ceremony of awarding added special significance to the event. The President of the UAF Andriy Shevchenko and head coach of Ukraine's national team Andrea Maldera participated in it. For hundreds of children, receiving an award from their idols became a true celebration and motivation to move forward.