United Together: football tournament in Lozova
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
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Participants in the United Together project, delivered in partnership by Shakhtar Social and The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation, took part in a children's football tournament in Lozova
The young footballers showcased their skills, teamwork and determination to win. The games were played in a spirit of fair competition, with participants enjoying positive emotions and gaining valuable match experience. At the end of the tournament, all participants received branded awards from the project's partners.
The United Together project has been implemented by Shakhtar Social and The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation since 2024 in three Ukrainian cities: Lozova (Kharkiv Oblast), Zaporizhzhia and Shakhtarske (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast). More than 200 boys and girls aged 7 to 12 take part in regular football training sessions as part of the initiative.
Oleksandr Kholodynskyi, project coordinator in Lozova:
– At such a challenging time for our community and for Ukraine as a whole, it is important that we have the support and opportunity to provide regular training sessions and football activities for children. Tournaments like this are a real celebration for the project participants, giving them a chance to take their minds off the realities of war, even if only for a while, and experience positive emotions. Today, the children enjoyed the atmosphere of genuine competition, showcased their skills and experienced the joy of winning and playing as part of a team.
In addition to regular football training sessions, the project's partners deliver psychological support programmes and help equip shelters and bomb shelters. This allows children in communities located close to the frontline to stay engaged during air raid alerts and spend time doing what they love most – playing football.
Dmytro Kapustnyk, 9, project participant in Lozova:
– I really enjoy playing football and taking part in competitions. Above all, it's about having fun, so we genuinely celebrate not only our own success, but also the success of friends from other teams. I dream of training hard, developing as a footballer and one day testing myself at the professional level. Today, we received medals, and I will definitely keep mine as a reminder of this tournament.
As part of the initiative, 30 foosball tables have been donated, among other items. The equipment was provided to educational and sports institutions in different regions of Ukraine.
Since the launch of United Together, dozens of training sessions, sporting events and additional activities for children have taken place across Ukraine. The project aims to create opportunities for active leisure, develop football skills and strengthen social connections among participants.
The United Together project has been implemented by Shakhtar Social and The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation since 2024 in three Ukrainian cities: Lozova (Kharkiv Oblast), Zaporizhzhia and Shakhtarske (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast). More than 200 boys and girls aged 7 to 12 take part in regular football training sessions as part of the initiative.
Oleksandr Kholodynskyi, project coordinator in Lozova:
– At such a challenging time for our community and for Ukraine as a whole, it is important that we have the support and opportunity to provide regular training sessions and football activities for children. Tournaments like this are a real celebration for the project participants, giving them a chance to take their minds off the realities of war, even if only for a while, and experience positive emotions. Today, the children enjoyed the atmosphere of genuine competition, showcased their skills and experienced the joy of winning and playing as part of a team.
In addition to regular football training sessions, the project's partners deliver psychological support programmes and help equip shelters and bomb shelters. This allows children in communities located close to the frontline to stay engaged during air raid alerts and spend time doing what they love most – playing football.
Dmytro Kapustnyk, 9, project participant in Lozova:
– I really enjoy playing football and taking part in competitions. Above all, it's about having fun, so we genuinely celebrate not only our own success, but also the success of friends from other teams. I dream of training hard, developing as a footballer and one day testing myself at the professional level. Today, we received medals, and I will definitely keep mine as a reminder of this tournament.
As part of the initiative, 30 foosball tables have been donated, among other items. The equipment was provided to educational and sports institutions in different regions of Ukraine.
Since the launch of United Together, dozens of training sessions, sporting events and additional activities for children have taken place across Ukraine. The project aims to create opportunities for active leisure, develop football skills and strengthen social connections among participants.
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