Dear friends! Esteemed colleagues, footballers, club leaders, fans!
Hryhoriy SurkisToday is a special day for me, the first president of the Professional Football League of Ukraine. A day when I remember not just the date of May 26, 1996, but an entire era. An era that began with faith, initiative, and responsibility. It was on this day that the organization was born, the creation of which was, without exaggeration, a revolutionary step in domestic football.
At that time, we did more than just establish a new structure. We gave Ukrainian football, professional football, a voice, rights, and a direction for development. Until then, our championships existed, but they lacked a system, clear rules, and stability. Most importantly, there was a lack of an entity that would purposefully engage with clubs, tournaments, and infrastructure. And we created this entity — the PFL.
In an instant, Ukrainian football realized: from now on, it is professional. It became unimaginable to even think that a team could disregard matches of the Ukrainian Championship for the sake of a friendly tournament, yet such cases existed before the establishment of the PFL.
Top, first, and second leagues — this is a vast enterprise, and they received a common home and a strong partner. We implemented the principle: every club has a voice, and every club can influence decision-making. This was a qualitatively new approach.
Of course, not everything was easy. But already in the first years, we witnessed explosive growth: from 73 to 90 professional clubs in just a year! Professional football turned into a full-fledged, modern product that attracted players, coaches, fans, and sponsors. We ensured not only stability but also prospects.
And we see that this has yielded results. The level of play has risen. Clubs began to represent Ukraine with dignity in Europe. And most importantly, our national team made it to the finals of the World Cup for the first time in history, reaching the quarter-finals immediately. These were the fruits of systematic work, work that was initiated by the PFL itself.
We also became pioneers in many areas: club licensing, certification, development of lower leagues, implementation of televised broadcasts. This is now the standard, the norm. Back then, it was innovation, a challenge, a breakthrough.
Of course, time changes. New structures and formats emerge. The PFL ceded management of the top division to the newly created Premier League — and this was also a logical step in development. But it is important: the PFL has never lost its purpose of being a support for Ukrainian football. And today it continues to honorably perform this mission.
I sincerely thank everyone who was there during those years of formation. Everyone who continued to work and works for the PFL. Everyone who invests their soul into the development of football in our country. Because football is not just a game. It is a shared endeavor. It is a future that we create together.
With great gratitude, pride, and best wishes
Hryhoriy Surkis
First President of the PFL (1996-2000),
Honorary Member of UEFA
