Three football fields were opened at kindergartens in Dzerzhinsk.

      22 August 2025 08:38

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      Sport — In Dzerzhinsk, a ceremonial opening was held for three modern football pitches built on the premises of kindergartens. The event was attended by the head of the Paralympic Committee of Russia Pavel Rozhkov, the chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Nizhny Novgorod Region Evgeny Lyulin, and world-class athletes, Paralympic champions Dmitry Safronov, Alexander Kuligin and Andrey Vdovin.

      A project unique for Russia to create football fields for the very young has been implemented since 2024 at the initiative of Evgeny Lyulin and Dzerzhinsk City Duma deputy Andrey Kuvaev. Last year eight fields were opened in the city of chemists; this year another 11 are planned to be commissioned. Today new sports grounds appeared at kindergartens No. 57, No. 117 and No. 67.

      “The project itself is more than just football fields. It is an investment in the healthy future of our children. By getting them used to sports from the earliest age, we foster both character and determination. The dream of sporting victories must be realized. Therefore we will continue to develop football in kindergartens, and we very much hope that our experience will be picked up across the country,” said Evgeny Lyulin.

      Each site is a football pitch measuring 10 by 16 meters with a modern artificial surface, protective netting, goals and a convenient picket fence. Young footballers also receive two sets of kit, sports equipment, balls, a goalkeeper’s uniform and sweet treats.

      To congratulate the children on this important event, honorary guests arrived: the head of the Paralympic Committee of Russia Pavel Rozhkov and well-known Nizhny Novgorod athletes — three-time Paralympic athletics champion Andrey Vdovin, two-time Paralympic athletics champion Dmitry Safronov, and Paralympic football champion Alexander Kuligin. They spoke with the children, showed them their awards and even allowed them to try on their Paralympic medals. The highlight of the celebration was the “Paralympic lesson” and the “Fun Starts” with the participation of adults and children, as well as the first match on the new field.

      “The need for a healthy lifestyle and a love of sport is formed at the earliest age. Children should do sports. Thanks to Evgeny Borisovich for the initiative to create and open grounds in many of the city's kindergartens. This is important and allows children to fall in love with sport from a young age. Unfortunately, such work is not carried out systemically in our country, and for us this is an example to follow,” noted Pavel Rozhkov.

      One of the sites opened that day was the sports area at kindergarten No. 67, which is attended by children with disabilities. In addition to the standard football pitch, it was supplemented with a special complex of exercise equipment for the rehabilitation and physical development of the pupils.

      As the project develops, in addition to football fields, sports playgrounds are planned for all kindergartens.

      In addition, the next step will be the holding in Dzerzhinsk in September of the country's first football festival among kindergarten pupils. The successful Nizhny Novgorod experience has already attracted the attention of the Russian Football Union, which is considering the possibility of expanding this practice across the Russian Federation.

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