The social project of the Ukrainian Association of Football aimed at developing and promoting amputee football, “League of the Mighty,” has become a laureate of the prestigious UEFA FootbALL Awards 2025 in the “National Association” category.
This award is a sign of international recognition of one of the key social priorities of the Ukrainian Association of Football — the development of adaptive forms of football. The award ceremony took place during the UEFA RESPECT Forum in Zurich, Switzerland.
“There are more than three million people with disabilities in Ukraine, and since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion this number has only increased. I am convinced that we must rethink the very concept of ‘disability’ and focus not on people’s limitations but on their opportunities. This is exactly the environment of equal opportunities that we are creating,” emphasized the President of the UAF, Andriy Shevchenko.
Before the launch of the “League of the Mighty” project, there were only four amateur amputee football teams in Ukraine. In less than a year, the initiative of the Ukrainian Association of Football has already united 13 teams from across the country.
The project has provided veterans, female veterans, and people with limb amputations or impaired limb function with an opportunity to return to sport, feel the support of a team, and undergo rehabilitation through amputee football.
“Amputee football is a popular sport around the world. In Ukraine, however, it carries an even deeper meaning. Most of our players are war veterans — young, strong individuals who just a few years ago were civilians playing football in their spare time. Today they return to the field as athletes. We are creating a space where people are not defined by what they have lost — they are defined by their strength of spirit, resilience, and incredible potential. Through this lens the world sees the face of Ukrainian society: inclusive, determined, and unbreakable,” noted the advisor to the UAF President on communications and social projects, Olena Balbek.
Along with the Ukrainian Association of Football, this year’s award laureates also included the Premier League, the clubs Everton F.C. and Liverpool F.C., as well as legendary player and coach Carolina Morace.
This is yet another international recognition that Ukrainian football stands at the forefront not only on the field but also in the development of social initiatives.
The Ukrainian Association of Football expresses its gratitude to socially responsible businesses that believe in and support the project: Mastercard & Oschadbank, Adidas, the “Lvivske” brand, MEGOGO, ICTV, as well as the Norwegian Football Federation and the Royal Belgian Football Association.
