In Kyiv, members of the “Youth Chooses Ukraine” initiative gathered to support Shakhtar Donetsk as they faced AEK in a Champions League match. Ksenia Sukhova, the General Director of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, highlighted the importance of community building among the youth, stating, “We want our youth to meet, share experiences from the project, and enjoy each other’s company. Tonight is a wonderful opportunity to just hang out together, chat, and cheer for Shakhtar.”
The match against AEK is part of a series of eight Champions League games where Shakhtar players will don jerseys featuring the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation logo. This collaboration aims to draw international attention to the stories of young Ukrainians who have returned from occupied territories.
Nataliya Yemchenko, Chair of the Foundation’s Supervisory Board, added, “We watch football together with the project participants, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Foundation team. For these children, it’s a chance to reconnect with Ukrainian football. This season, the Foundation is represented on Shakhtar’s jerseys in this European season.”
Project participant Danilo shared his excitement: “I used to watch Shakhtar matches at Donbas Arena, and now I can cheer for the team with my friends. It feels amazing. I lost my voice cheering today. I was lucky to attend a match at Donbas Arena, but that was a long time ago.”
Another participant, Zlata, remarked on the value of such gatherings for sharing experiences and supporting one another. Representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports also participated, with Deputy Minister Ulyana Tokaryeva emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for youth to engage with diverse communities. “It is crucial to understand what interests young people and to offer these opportunities to a broader audience,” she stated.
The “Youth Chooses Ukraine” project is a pilot initiative by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, the Ukrainian Ombudsman’s office, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports aimed at young individuals aged 18 to 23 who are returning from temporarily occupied territories or after illegal deportation.
