After fleeing Odesa due to the war, Ukrainian children are finding hope and joy in Chisinau through football. Thanks to the efforts of Victoria and Gennady Oleksich, Sporting Chisinau now provides a new start for over 100 children from both Moldova and Ukraine.
Over 100 children train passionately at the Sporting Football Club in Chisinau, chasing their dreams of becoming skilled footballers. For many, this football club has become more than just a training ground; it’s a place of refuge and hope. Almost half of these children come from Ukraine, having fled the war and found safety in Moldova.
“When the kids are playing, you can see how much it helps them unwind, feel connected, and forget their troubles for a little while,” shares Gennady Oleksich, one of the club’s co-founders. The club’s success can be seen in its rapidly growing number of players, with children ranging from 4 to 14 years old. They participate in structured training sessions, weekend championship matches, and are given the opportunity to grow both as athletes and individuals.
Founded in November 2021, just months before the war’s escalation, CSF Sporting Chisinau initially served as an extension of Sporting Odesa, a football club Gennady and his wife, Victoria had established in Ukraine. However, with the growing demand in Chisinau and the ongoing war in Ukraine, it quickly became an independent entity. “We saw children from Odesa arriving in Chisinau, and one of the first things we did was take them to the football field,” Gennady recalls. “That’s when I realized we needed to formally set up the club here.”
The club’s creation came after a difficult personal journey. Gennady and his wife Victoria originally moved from Moldova to Odesa in 2010. With Ukrainian roots on Victoria’s side, the couple was drawn to the city for business opportunities and the culture they cherished. “I think we returned to our ethnic roots, to the homeland of our ancestors. We love Ukraine and Odesa very much,” Victoria reflects.
Sporting Chisinau started with just 50 children from Ukraine and 17 from Moldova, but now the numbers have grown to over 100. Gennady mentions that Sporting Chisinau is not just a casual sports section but a professional football club with a structured training program. “We have teams playing in the Moldovan championship every weekend, and the children are really thriving,” he explains.
Today, Sporting Chisinau boasts nine teams and four coaches, with plans to expand further. Gennady and Victoria have built strong ties with local schools, such as the “Nikolai Gogol” Theoretical Lyceum, helping Ukrainian children integrate into the community and continue their education. Many children have even enrolled in football classes supported by the Moldovan Football Federation.
Looking ahead, the Oleksich family is excited about their participation in the Big Hearts Marathon 2024. Victoria shares, “We’re preparing the kids for this event, giving them a chance to experience something new while growing their connection to Moldova.” Through morning runs and training sessions, the children are not only preparing for the marathon but also building a sense of belonging.
Victoria and Gennady hope that eventually, the children will fall in love with Moldova, just as they have. “This is an opportunity for them to discover new strengths, overcome challenges, and become a part of this community,” Victoria concludes.
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The Chisinau Big Hearts Marathon is Moldova’s largest running event, attracting over 10,000 runners from 46 countries last year. With races for all ages and abilities, it promotes a healthy lifestyle and community unity. UNHCR Moldova is once again supporting the event, running alongside participants to raise awareness for important causes.
Through its 2022-2026 sports strategy, UNHCR leverages the power of sports to foster inclusion and empower refugee and local communities in Moldova and beyond.
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