Sparta welcomed children from Ukraine’s frontline regions

Twenty-six children from Ukraine’s frontline regions, including Lozova and Zaporizhzhia, who are participants in the United Together project, attended a sports camp in Prague from July 24 to August 3. The initiative was made possible through the partnership between Shakhtar Social and Sparta, which has now been running for a fourth consecutive year.

The camp programme included football training sessions with coaches from Sparta’s academy, a variety of sporting activities, attendance at academy matches and Czech league fixtures, as well as walks through Prague’s historic city centre. One of the highlights of the trip was the children walking onto the pitch with Sparta’s players before the Czech league match against FC Zlín.

Maksym Moskovets, 11, participant in the United Together project in Zaporizhzhia:

– Going to Prague was a real adventure for me. I enjoyed the fact that we not only trained and played football, but also spent a lot of time together off the pitch. We got to explore the city, make new friends and have so many great experiences.

Ivan Barbin, 13, participant in the United Together project in Lozova:

– I’m really happy that I had the chance to attend the sports camp and visit Prague. I enjoyed everything – the football, the training sessions and the walks around the city. I also made new friends. But the moment I’ll remember most is walking onto the pitch with the players in front of the fans before the match. It was amazing!

For the children, the sports camp was a wonderful opportunity to take a break from the harsh realities of war, spend time in a safe environment, socialise with their peers and experience new positive emotions.

Oleksandr Kholodynskyi, coach of the United Together project in Lozova:

– Trips like these are incredibly important for the children. They give them a chance, even if only for a while, to take their minds off everything that is happening in Ukraine. In Prague, the children trained at Sparta's stadium, visited the museum, played football and watched a match live. They also spent a lot of time exploring the city, talking, getting to know one another and making new friends. It meant new experiences and simply the chance to have a good time for them. I'm sure they'll remember this trip for a long time. I'd like to thank everyone involved for making this initiative possible.

United Together brings together children from Ukraine's frontline regions, including internally displaced children and children from families affected by the war. Among the participants are children whose loved ones have been killed or are continuing to defend Ukraine.

The trip to Prague was made possible thanks to FC Shakhtar's trusted partners, including Arsenal Insurance, the club's fuel partner Parallel-branded filling station chain, as well as a breakfast cereal manufacturer Lantmannen Cerealia.

Andrii Babeshko, Director of Shakhtar Social:

– For the fourth consecutive year, we have been organising these trips for children as part of the partnership between Shakhtar Social and Sparta. We would like to thank Sparta and our partners for supporting this initiative. We're delighted that, through our joint efforts, we can give these children unforgettable moments and lasting memories.