Ukraine Wins First UEFA Grassroots Gold for War-Born Disability Initiative

Ukraine has received its first-ever UEFA  Grassroots Gold Award, with the Ukrainian Association of Football’s social initiative “League of the Mighty” recognized in the Best Disability Initiative category for the 2025/26 cycle.

The UEFA Grassroots Awards are among the most prestigious honors in European football development, recognizing initiatives that advance inclusion and community participation. The Best Disability Initiative category specifically highlights projects that promote opportunities for people with disabilities.

According to the UEFA, the ceremony took place on March 31 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Olena Balbek, Director of Strategic Development and Sustainability at the Ukrainian Association of Football and CEO of the UAF  Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

“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,” Balbek said.

“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. What started as an intuitive response to crisis has become a national project.”

She noted that most of the players were veterans who had lost limbs while defending Ukraine, and that amputee football had helped restore their 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,” Olena added.

This is not the first time the “League of the Mighty” has received recognition from UEFA. In 2025, the initiative was awarded at the UEFA FootbALL Awards in the National Association category, alongside recipients such as the English Premier League and clubs Everton and Liverpool.

What is the “League of the Mighty”

The “League of the Mighty” has rapidly expanded since its launch. Prior to the initiative, Ukraine had only four amateur amputee football teams. Within a year, the program helped establish 21 teams across 18 cities.

The project provides rehabilitation opportunities for war veterans and civilians with limb loss, enabling participants to return to competitive sport and integrate into supportive local communities.

At the beginning of April, the Ukrainian Association of Football is launching the 2026 Ukrainian Amputee Football Championship. A total of 18 teams in the Super League and First League will compete across five rounds from April to October. The Super League winner will go on to represent Ukraine in the EAFF Champions League, the top European club competition for amputee football.

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Life in Ukraine

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Ukrainian officials say the project’s rapid growth and international recognition reflect its broader social impact, positioning it among Europe’s most significant grassroots football initiatives.

In the related development, a new football club, Nezlamni, has been established in Kharkiv, dedicated to Ukrainian war veterans and civilians who have experienced limb amputations.

The club participates in amputee football, a modified version of the sport where athletes use crutches or prosthetics. Volodymyr Lyakh, the club's founder, shared that during the first training session, the players were strangers to one another. However, by their second practice, they were already inquiring about upcoming tournaments, showcasing their enthusiasm and determination.

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