On October 18, children from the Baranivska territorial community actively participated in a sports festival held within the framework of the Ukrainian Football Association's project "Open Football Festivals" (national coordinator - Eugene Stolitenko) with the support of the head of the Zhytomyr Oblast Football Association, Ruslan Pavlyuk.

Welcoming speeches were given to the participants by the head of the Zhytomyr Oblast Football Association, Ruslan Pavlyuk, the head of the Baranivska City Council, Oleksandr Migey, and the regional coordinator of the "Open Football Festivals" project, Ruslan Mayevsky.

Photo ZOFA

During the festival, children had the opportunity to demonstrate their sports skills, and at the end of the event, each participant received a diploma signed by legendary footballer and now head of the Ukrainian Football Association, Andriy Shevchenko, as well as a commemorative gift.

Photo ZOFA

Coach and lecturer Vitaliy Fedorchuk sincerely thanks Oleksandr Shamyra for financial support, the Baranivska City Council for help in organizing the event, as well as coordinator Ruslan Mayevsky for the wonderful opportunity to be part of such an important social project that brings children together around sports.

Photo ZOFA

We continue to inspire children with football!

Sincere thanks to assistants, volunteers, coaches and everyone involved in organizing the event!

Thank you to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the opportunity to hold such events!

The Ukrainian Football Association's project "Open Football Festivals" is:

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of military personnel, IDPs, and war-affected children;
• uniting 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, patrons, etc.).