The International Charitable Organization Parimatch Foundation, the Ukrainian Association of football, and the Association of Football Veterans of Kyiv organized a meeting of young football players and veterans. The meeting aimed to support legendary athletes and help them with food and necessities at this challenging time. Ukrainian football legends answered children’s questions and signed balls for them.
Victor Hlus, Chairman of the Association of Football Veterans of Kyiv, thanked the Parimatch Foundation on behalf of the entire association and all veterans of sport for support and humanitarian assistance.
– Today, we have the opportunity to help athletes every month and do everything possible to make football veterans feel that Ukrainian sports need them. – Victor Khlus told.
Young footballers had the opportunity to learn more about the legends of Ukrainian football of past decades. One of them is Oleksandr Shpakov, the honored coach of Ukraine and the first coach of the Ballon D’Or winner Andriy Shevchenko, the coach of junior age groups with 45 years of experience.
Oleksandr Oleksandrovych talked about his awards and memorable photos in his coaching room. All these things remind him that his chosen path is the right one, and all the prizes are gratitude for working with children.
– I found myself working with children. When you love children, you love your job. You overlook the difficulties. Over the years, the work conditions have changed, but the dedication never changes. You just need to explain everything to children in a clear language to their age – Oleksandr Oleksandrovych warmly tells about his experience.
Andriy Biba, the champion and winner of the USSR Cups, and the legendary midfielder of Dynamo Kyiv, also talks about the future of young footballers.
– I want to wish our children, who play football and dream of becoming real athletes, to participate in tournaments and competitions as much as possible. It is the opportunity to be immersed in the best game in the world. And the example of a little boy Andriy Shevchenko from Yahotyn, who became a world football star, demonstrates that nothing is impossible in life. Work hard, and you will become as great as he is.
Vadym Misyura, Director of the Parimatch Foundation in Ukraine, noted that caring for children and involving them in sports is one of the main tasks of the Foundation.
-It is essential for our children in Ukraine to see the example of those athletes who represent our country in international competitions. Thanks to the program “Sports Mentor,” which is implemented by our Foundation, we have the opportunity to show the experience of prominent Ukrainian coaches and athletes to the young generation. Today, our children are the future of Ukrainian sports, so we always support the events where children can meet famous athletes and coaches, – Vadym Misyura said.
At the end of the meeting, Igor Kochetov, President of the Football Association of Kyiv, thanked the Parimatch Foundation on behalf of the entire association and all veterans of sport for support and humanitarian assistance.
– One of the tasks of the federation is caring for veterans. We share the idea that a nation that doesn’t remember its past has no future. We understand the way we bring our young players up depends on how we treat our veterans. I am grateful to the Parimatch Foundation for the help it provides to Kyiv football. Today, together with the Association of Football Veterans of Kyiv, we have the opportunity to help regularly and do everything possible to make football veterans feel that Ukrainian sports need them. – said Igor.
