Almost a million hryvnias were collected from the sale of the charitable postal block "The Next 'Golden Ball' - Yours!" dedicated to legends of Ukrainian football in August last year.

Photo: Dan Balashov

Artist Sergei Tekhov depicted on three postage stamps the portraits of Ukrainians - holders of the "Golden Ball," one of the highest individual awards in world football: Oleh Blokhin, Igor Belanov, and Andriy Shevchenko. But this issue was not just a tribute to past great victories; it became an investment in the future.

From each sold postal block, 45 hryvnias were directed towards supporting children's sports. In total, buyers - collectors, fans, and ordinary Ukrainians - made a significant contribution together.

Photo: Dan Balashov

The "Talantikos" project is a youth educational initiative aimed at attracting children to football and developing their talents through game formats, creativity, and motivation. Over 2026-2027, more than a thousand children from various regions of Ukraine will participate in it.

"Every stamp you affixed to an envelope or kept in your collection became a contribution to their future," Ukrposhta notes.

Such support is particularly important against the backdrop of war.

Photo: Dan Balashov

"The war has significantly exacerbated systemic problems in children's and mass football in Ukraine, depriving millions of children of stable access to offline activities, live interaction, and physical development. Mass displacement of families, remote learning, and constant psychological pressure lead to increased isolation and loss of motivation among the youth. Without targeted game interventions, football risks losing an entire generation of talents," comments the Ukrainian Football Association.

Photo: Dan Balashov

The collected funds will help create an environment where every child can showcase themselves, gain a quality experience, and find their path in sports - on the way to their "Golden Ball."