Twenty-five young football players from the Berezanka and Koblevo communities, who take part in Shakhtar Social’s “Come On, Let’s Play!” project, spent 10 days at the sports camp of the “Sparta” football club in the Czech capital. In these communities, the “Come On, Let’s Play!” project has been funded by DTEK Renewables since 2021.
In Prague, boys and girls aged 9–12 trained daily under the guidance of the club’s professional coaches, learned new training techniques, and honed their skills. They also enjoyed a rich cultural program, including tours of historical and architectural landmarks, visits to the planetarium and zoo, and a walk across the famous Charles Bridge.
A highlight of the trip was the visit to Sparta’s stadium, where the young footballers walked onto the pitch alongside the players during the “Sparta” Prague – “Mladá Boleslav” match.
Denys Kondratiuk, coach of the Koblevo football team, said that for most of the children, this trip was their first journey abroad and a real discovery.
“The children were delighted by Prague, its landmarks, the zoo, and the planetarium. The training process was very engaging, with a new coach working with the kids each day. At the end, competitions were held, and some of the children even won trophies. Walking out onto the pitch with the Sparta players in front of a full stadium of fans was the most exciting highlight of the trip. The children experienced how the city comes alive on a match day – everywhere you look, shirts and scarves with the team’s logo, the streets turning into a real football celebration. This atmosphere will stay with them forever. Moments like these inspire children to dream and strive for new achievements,” said Denys Kondratiuk.
The trip to Prague was made possible thanks to the long-standing partnership between Shakhtar Social and the “Sparta” football club, which has repeatedly opened new opportunities for young Ukrainian athletes, as well as the support of the Ukraine Children’s Action Project (UCAP) foundation.
“We are proud that the ‘Come On, Let’s Play!’ project brings children together through sport, gives them new experiences and friendships, and, most importantly, builds team spirit and self-confidence. DTEK Renewables will continue to support the development of children’s football in the Mykolaiv region, helping children dream, achieve their goals, and grow strong both in sport and in life,” said Oleg Solovey, Deputy CEO of DTEK Renewables.
The “Come On, Let’s Play!” project is implemented in various regions of Ukraine and offers children the opportunity to play football for free under the guidance of experienced coaches, develop their sporting skills, learn teamwork, and make new friends.
