The regional stage of the project «Side by Side. Nationwide School Leagues» has kicked off in the Odesa region. This initiative, launched by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, represents a new format for student competitions under the motto «Together We Will Win!».
This season includes multiple sports. We are witnessing an unprecedented number of participants – nearly 20 thousand players. A total of 2,440 teams from 541 schools in the Odesa region have registered!
Today, 8 strong futsal teams (boys) competed for a single ticket to the national final in two age categories (grades 5-9 and 9-11):
- Odesa General Education School No. 35,
- Velykomykhailivskyi Lyceum,
- Pavlivskyi ZZSО,
- Sarat Lyceum,
- Nerubayskyi Lyceum No. 1,
- Zatyshansky ZZSО,
- Voznesensky First Lyceum.
During the opening ceremony, Anton Shalyhailo, Deputy Head of Odesa OVA, addressed the young athletes and their coaches with warm wishes.
One of the top scorers in the history of Ukrainian football, a sports veteran, project ambassador, and player of the Ukrainian national football team and FC «Chornomorets», Oleksandr Kosyryn, came to support the teams, embodying inspiration for the youth.
From the very first minutes of the competition, the friendly and cheerful regional mascot, the Friendly Dolphin, encouraged participants during the intense matches.
As a result of fierce matches in the 5-9 grade category, the team from Pavlivsky Lyceum of the Bolhrad district emerged victorious, defeating all opponents with dignity.
Among the boys in grades 9-11, the strongest were the students of Kamchitsky Lyceum from the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district.
Congratulations to the champions!
We express our gratitude to the hosts, organizers, coaches, team leaders, parents, and everyone who cheered for the young athletes.
We wish success in the national final! Go, Odesa, to victory!
