I’m glad to be a role model for children
Monday, April 6, 2026
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Shakhtar footballer Pedrinho spoke with participants in the Pace for Health project of the Shakhtar Social foundation
Shakhtar midfielder Pedrinho met online with participants in the Pace for Health project, which is implemented by the Shakhtar Social foundation within the Erasmus+ Sport programme.
The main aim of Pace for Health is to support psychosocial recovery and development of children through football. The initiative combines regular training sessions, assessment of participants’ condition and skills, the creation of practical inclusive methodologies and the development of a guide for coaches and teachers, as well as the organisation of summer camps for internally displaced children in Italy and Greece.
55 boys and girls from Rivne, Zhytomyr, Pivdenne, Uman and Krasnopavlivka joined the conversation. Overall, the project covers 165 children aged 7 to 13, including 60 internally displaced persons.
The main aim of Pace for Health is to support psychosocial recovery and development of children through football. The initiative combines regular training sessions, assessment of participants’ condition and skills, the creation of practical inclusive methodologies and the development of a guide for coaches and teachers, as well as the organisation of summer camps for internally displaced children in Italy and Greece.
55 boys and girls from Rivne, Zhytomyr, Pivdenne, Uman and Krasnopavlivka joined the conversation. Overall, the project covers 165 children aged 7 to 13, including 60 internally displaced persons.
I hope that more and more players will join such initiatives. Sending everyone hugs and thank you for the opportunity
Pedrinho, midfielder:
– I was very pleased to speak with the children; it is an honour for me. A great platform and opportunity for professional footballers to communicate with the younger generation. I’m glad to be a role model for them and I hope that more and more players will join such initiatives. Sending everyone hugs and thank you for the opportunity.
– You returned to Ukraine and Shakhtar in 2024. What was the decisive factor in making this decision? (Ivan)
– In my view, even at the moment when I left Shakhtar because of the war, I felt that this was not yet the end of my story, and I always wanted to return to the team. I was extremely happy when I received a message from the club saying there was interest in my return. Of course, I did not hesitate for long and agreed, as it was a great opportunity to be here.
– What was the most difficult moment in your career and what helped you overcome that period? (Matvii)
– Perhaps the most difficult moments of my football career were injuries. The worst part is that you are morally and mentally weaker than usual. However, it is important to understand that injury is temporary, and you can work productively during this time in order to recover as quickly as possible. You should not dwell on the injury, but rather focus on how to recover faster and return to playing.
– I was very pleased to speak with the children; it is an honour for me. A great platform and opportunity for professional footballers to communicate with the younger generation. I’m glad to be a role model for them and I hope that more and more players will join such initiatives. Sending everyone hugs and thank you for the opportunity.
– You returned to Ukraine and Shakhtar in 2024. What was the decisive factor in making this decision? (Ivan)
– In my view, even at the moment when I left Shakhtar because of the war, I felt that this was not yet the end of my story, and I always wanted to return to the team. I was extremely happy when I received a message from the club saying there was interest in my return. Of course, I did not hesitate for long and agreed, as it was a great opportunity to be here.
– What was the most difficult moment in your career and what helped you overcome that period? (Matvii)
– Perhaps the most difficult moments of my football career were injuries. The worst part is that you are morally and mentally weaker than usual. However, it is important to understand that injury is temporary, and you can work productively during this time in order to recover as quickly as possible. You should not dwell on the injury, but rather focus on how to recover faster and return to playing.
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