Shakhtar sessions for kids with disabilities

20 April 2019

Shakhtar sessions for kids with disabilities

On April 7, FC Shakhtar Donetsk started group sessions in Kharkiv for 40 children with mental and physical developmental disorders. The event was held as part of the ‘Come On, Let’s Play!‘ project under the auspices of Shakhtar Social.

Before the match vs Dynamo, Shakhtar coaches Pedro Moreira and Antonio Ferreira visited the little athletes. The children conducted a joint training session with the Portuguese coaches, being able to play football together and get some unforgettable impressions.

‘I have been a fan of Shakhtar for a long time.’ says the project participant Dmytro Danylov. ‘I go to the stadium often, watching the games of my favourite team live. I want Shakhtar to defeat Dynamo today.’

‘The possibility to participate in the Come On, Let’s Play! project is a dream come true.’ Dmytro’s mother Natalya Danylova says. ‘My son has always wanted to play football, to be close to the players and coaches. Today, his dream has come true!’

‘It’s very good that from now on, there will be group sessions for children with developmental disabilities.’ said the project participant Mariia Udachina. ‘We got the opportunity not only to play sports, but to learn to work in a team.’

‘This event is of great importance.’ said Pedro Moreira, Shakhtar’s fitness coach. ‘We represent a football club and it’s important for us to participate in social life. We need to improve, to be closer to every Ukrainian. What I really feel today is that the children are happy.’

The meeting ended with numerous selfies, signing autographs and a group photo as a memento. See the photo gallery below.