Even as the war in their country continues, Ukrainian football officials are planning to restart the football season in August, hoping that the renewal of games will be a quintessential boost. god, according to The Associated Press.
Andriy Pavelko, president of the Ukrainian football federation, said AP. that the re-launch will include the Ukrainian Premier League as well as the lower divisions and women’s football.
Pavelko said he spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine “about how football has a great power to help people think about the future, because of course now people don’t have a good mindset.”
The Ukrainian Premier League for the 2021-22 season was suspended in February following the Russian invasion and was eventually cancelled. In the early days of the war, there were skirmishes and air raids across the country, including around the capital, Kyiv. Now that the war has passed 100 days, most of the fighting and shelling is taking place in the far eastern parts of the country. Kyiv and other cities have been able to restore some of their normalcy.
Meanwhile, the men’s national team players gathered for the World Cup qualifying match in Wales. After beat Scotland on Wednesdaythey face Wales, with the winning team advancing to the World Cup in Qatar in November. That decisive match is on Sunday.
