"Open football lessons" visited the Kirovohrad region

25.09.2023 09:34

Photo of UAF press service

"Open football lessons" organized by the Ukrainian Football Association, the Kirovohrad Regional Football Association and the Znamyanka community took place at the city stadium of Znamyanka.

72 children of the Znamyan Territorial Community had the opportunity to play soccer games with a ball, participate in classes with a paramedic and a representative of the State Emergency Service, compete in relay races, and also perform the simplest exercises with soccer balls. The participants of the event were boys and girls (including IDPs and other children affected by the war) — students of educational institutions of Znamyansk TG.

Photo of UAF press service

The classes were conducted by the best trainers-teachers of the community — Serhiy Hrinkevich, Andrii Mykytchenko, Oleksandr Pastilniak, psychologist Iryna Mykytchenko, paramedic Olga Kuzina, representative of the Emergency Situations Service Yuriy Shmalko, also a representative of the Active Parks of the Znamyan Territorial Community Oleksandr Bulakha was involved in one of the locations .

The main goal of the event is the integration of IDP children into the community through football, psychological support for children affected by the war, communication and establishing friendly relations, as well as studying mine safety rules with the help of representatives of the State Emergency Service.

Photo of UAF press service

The festival was opened by Ruslana Ladozhynska, Head of the Youth and Sports Sector of the Department of Education, Youth and Sports, Oleksandr Shevchenko, Head of the Kirovohrad Regional Branch of the Committee on Physical Education and Sports of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Andriy Shchetyna, Head of the Youth and Sports Department of the Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration, Chairman of the Kirovohrad Regional Association of football Viktor Bezsmertnyi and head of the Znamyanka Football Association Oleksandr Zamurenko. They wished every participant pleasant moments and bright emotions, and everyone who likes to play should join the free football training at the children's and youth sports school. Each participant received a t-shirt and a project diploma from the UAF, and volunteer teachers and coaches received sports equipment necessary for further classes.

Photo of UAF press service

The project of the Ukrainian Football Association "Open Fun Football Schools" (Open Fun Football Schools) with the support of UEFA is:

• psychosocial support for children of armed forces, children of IDPs, children affected by war;
• association and friendship of IDP children with local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment, participants regardless of ability level, gender, as well as the participation of children with special educational needs;
• knowledge of security in conditions of war;
• the philosophy of mass football — the joy of the game instead of the result at any cost;
• education of a healthy lifestyle;
• development of volunteerism;
• activation of local communities through cross-sectoral networks (teachers, trainers, psychologists, security specialists, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons, etc.).

All project activities are carried out in the regions in agreement with the regional military administrations.