EXCLUSIVE: Andriy Shevchenko shares how he wants to use football to build a better future for children in Ukraine as he reflects on the horrors of war following a harrowing visit to his homeland with Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko
- Oleksandr Zinchenko recently accompanied Shevchenko on a sobering visit to Ukraine
- The duo saw the Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky School, which was hit by a missile last March
- The pair will play in a charity match at Stamford Bridge to raise a rebuilding fund
Andriy Shevchenko recently went on a harrowing trip to Ukraine with Oleksandr Zinchenko – and the former AC Milan legend was inspired to team up with his compatriot to rebuild a school that was shelled by Russian troops.
The pair recently went back to the city of Chernihiv Oblast to check out the Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky school, which was hit by a missile last March. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as the students were taken to safety in a shelter, but the building was in ruins.
Everything was covered in dust and glass and people were running away, according to a report on the United24 website.
But Shevchenko tells Mail Sport he wants to use football to build a better future for children in Ukraine. -fashion model.
The 2004 Ballon d’Or winner will also play a charity match at Stamford Bridge alongside Arsenal full-back Zinchenko in August, with all funds going to rebuild the school.
Andriy Shevchenko recently teamed up with Gatorade as part of a mini-tournament for kids
Oleksandr Zinchenko (left) and Andriy Shevchenko (right) pose with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (center) during their recent visit to the country
The money from the competition will go to rebuilding the Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky School that was shot at
“It is important, Oleksandr now becomes the ambassador of United24 Fundraising Platform, he does a lot for the country,” says Shevchenko. He draws attention to Ukraine. He’s been involved in fundraising a lot on several projects, we’ve collaborated on several things.
‘One is August 5th at Stamford Bridge, we will raise money for the reconstruction of a school in Ukraine. It’s an important school. It brings around eight small villages… there is only one school in the area, so the thing is to rebuild that school.
“It was hit by missiles, destroying a few classes. I went there with Oleksandr 10 days ago. It’s terrifying.’
Shevchenko is speaking in Istanbul as part of an initiative by the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) to get children, many from underprivileged backgrounds, to play soccer. The five-on-five tournament brought together kids from all over the world to talk the language of football.
“It’s very important that football plays such an important role in society, it’s great to have such a big, strong brand behind some social things,” added Shevchenko, who played under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.
‘It is also an opportunity to get to know different cultures, sport has a very strong bond between children, it means a lot, the competition.
‘I grew up in Ukraine and we had a school tournament. I played for my school, this kind of opportunity was great. We could see potential good players coming out of these tournaments.
Andriy Shevchenko signed up for the event as a confidence coach and inspirational role model
Shevchenko and Zinchenko will play in a charity match at Stamford Bridge in August
“Because we have a war in Ukraine, there is not much sports activity now, but sports play such a big role now, all the more so because creating sports activities for the children means a lot to parents and children.
“When you play football, you forget the war, you forget the current situation, what is going on in Ukraine. That is the power of football and sport to connect people, to provide inspiration and a different view of the future.’
Shevchenko has visited hospitals and other schools in his home country and he adds, ‘Especially for the children, I have been much involved in bringing sports activity for rehabilitation, mainly of the mind.
“We have to deprive the children of the war, give them the chance when they play football to forget the war, be involved in the sport, that is a great opportunity for the children. We made something similar in Ukraine.’