The Ukrainian Association of Football’s social project for the development of amputee football, “League of the Mighty,” has been awarded the UEFA Grassroots Awards 2025/26 in the Best Disability Initiative category. This is the first award of its kind in the history of Ukrainian football.
The UEFA Grassroots Awards is one of the most prestigious honors of the European football governing body, recognizing outstanding initiatives in grassroots and inclusive football. The Best Disability Initiative category is awarded to projects that most effectively promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in football.
The award ceremony took place on March 31 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. On behalf of the Ukrainian Association of Football, the award was received by Olena Balbek, Director of Strategic Development and Sustainability at UAF and CEO of the UAF Foundation.
“For the first time in Ukraine’s history, we are receiving a UEFA Grassroots Gold Award - and I wish the reason for this project had never existed.
The ‘League of the Mighty’ was born out of war. In just a year and a half, it has grown into something we are truly proud of: 21 clubs across Ukraine, official competitions - and this very weekend, the second Ukrainian Amputee Football Championship will begin. What started as an intuitive response to crisis has become a national project.
Most of our players are veterans who lost limbs while defending Ukraine. Amputee football has given them back a sense of purpose, community, and inner strength.
This award is not just recognition - it is responsibility. The war is not over. New players will come to us for reasons none of us wish for. From the players, I have learned one thing: no one wins alone. It takes a team. Just as in the fight against evil - it takes a coalition. Thank you. Glory to Ukraine.”
This is already the second prestigious UEFA award for the “League of the Mighty.” In 2025, the project won the UEFA FootbALL Awards in the National Association category, alongside such recipients as the English Premier League and clubs Everton and Liverpool.
Two international recognitions in just over a year confirm that Ukraine is developing one of the most impactful social football projects in Europe.
