On September 26 at the "Olympets" sports complex of Bobrynetsky Municipal Territorial Community, the "Open Football Festivals" took place, which began with a nationwide minute 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 Chairman of the Bobrynetsky Municipal Territorial Community Leonid Kravchenko, Head of the Kirovohrad Oblast Football Association Viktor Bezsmertnyy, Head of Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Bobrynetsky City Council Victoria Litvinova, and a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Director of KZ DYSH Mykola Dorochenko.

Photo by KOAF

During the festival, six locations were used: the first was "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 - "Precision Kicks." After completing three stations, there were demonstration exercises with football and weightlifting.

Photo by KOAF

The celebration concluded with the presentation of diplomas from President of the UFA Andriy Shevchenko and sports equipment to each participant. The festival provided children with new knowledge about playing football, bright emotions, and contributed to patriotic education. A great thank you to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the opportunity to hold such events 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 any price for results;
• cultivation of a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• activation of local communities through cross-sector networks (youth leaders, teachers, coaches, psychologists, security experts, parents, local authorities, benefactors and others).