Today, the Dynamo Stadium named after V. Lobanovsky and the Dynamo Sports and Fitness School in Nyvky hosted extraordinary events for children of servicemen who were killed, missing in action or held in captivity on Children's Day.
First, a tour of the club's stadium was organised for more than 50 children. The young guests visited many locations of the arena, learned a lot of interesting things about the history of our club and plunged into the atmosphere of club life. The children were most excited by the monument to the legendary Meter Valeriy Lobanovsky and the Dynamo History Museum, where they learned about the most famous victories and achievements of the team of different generations, and had the opportunity to see with their own eyes the trophies won by the Kyiv team and other memorable awards.
The children also visited the stadium's VIP lounge and conference room. The children entered the stadium through the tunnel where the teams' locker rooms are located. At all the locations they visited, they took wonderful photos that will remind them of today's event for a long time to come. But the pleasant events did not end there.
- "For me, singing the National Anthem of Ukraine before a match like this is about a mother's pain, because I am a mother myself, I have a little son who is 9 years old," said singer Olga Tsybulskaya, "I understand how important it is for children to feel father's and mother's love and support. That's why today I hugged them with all my heart, I want them to feel how much we love them, that we care about what happens to them. I am grateful to the children for holding on, and we are holding on because of them. It is an honour for me to be among my people, both in the supermarket and on stage, and every news from the frontline hurts me. For me, this is a moment of unity, a feeling that we are holding together and will survive everything.
Before the event, Andriy Yusov, Head of the Working Group of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, addressed the audience:
- "The whole world knows that Ukraine is going through very difficult times. But despite the dramatic events, such bright events are inspiring and motivating for children, who are emotionally most affected by the full-scale Russian invasion. The children of our captured and missing defenders are gathered here, and of course, they need support. The opportunity to get acquainted with star sports in person, to play a match with real stars is what distracts them from unpleasant everyday life, motivates and inspires them. I am sure this will be an important event in the lives of these young Ukrainians. I would like to thank both FC Dynamo Kyiv and the United by Sports NGO for this initiative and opportunity for the children of our defenders. We are doing everything we can to restore and preserve the psyche of young Ukrainians, to divert their attention and show them that there is a future ahead, and that future is in a peaceful and successful Ukraine. We all stand together in this difficult time.
"The United by Sport team, together with partners, friends, athletes and stars, sought to give positive emotions to the children of prisoners of war and civilians illegally deprived of their personal freedom as a result of Russian aggression, to show support and unity through sport. And we succeeded. We are grateful to FC Dynamo, the GUR Coordination Headquarters, and each member of the star team for their support and assistance in the implementation of this significant event," said Angela Fokina, President of the NGO United by Sport.
The participants played on a standard-sized field - all children against adults. To make it more fun and interesting, they could score goals in six goals at once, and the half lasted 15 minutes. As a result, the result of the match was simply incredible - 40:11 in favour of the children. Then the participants had a symbolic penalty shootout, which also caused a lot of positive emotions among the children.
Of course, all those present took a common photo as a souvenir, the children received prizes and gifts from the military, FC Dynamo Kyiv and the NGO United by SPORT, the legendary footballer of our club Leonid Buriak and the director of the Dynamo Children's and Youth Sports School Oleksandr Ishchenko, as well as various goodies.
- "Each of us must respect the people who protect us and help their children," said Artem Kravets, Advisor to the President of FC Dynamo Kyiv Ihor Surkis on the development of children's and youth football, during the event. "It is very important to make at least a small holiday for them. Today's match is entertainment for children, we are trying to cheer them up. I think they will also be pleased with the gifts, which will encourage them to play football, and maybe one of them will even become a professional player.
This match was made possible thanks to the synergy between United by Sport, FC Dynamo and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. This event has once again highlighted the importance of each and every person who stands in defence of our country and children. This is primarily the military, but also the large sports and cultural community and the public sector.
Why is it important?
More than 6,447 children were left without parental care during the war, including 1,233 who lost both or one of their parents. Thousands of minors are children of prisoners of war or children of civilians deprived of their liberty as a result of Russian aggression. 60% of children have witnessed or participated in war-related events (data as of January 2024).
This event is not only a football match, but also a symbolic act of support and gratitude to the families of Ukraine's heroes, as well as motivation and support for children and their future.
United by sport is a non-governmental organisation whose mission is to build a healthy Ukrainian society where physical activity, sports and a healthy lifestyle are a priority for every Ukrainian.