Mastercard and Oschadbank have announced the launch of a charity project aimed at promoting the social reintegration of people with amputations and the development of adaptive sports. As part of the project, a charity fundraiser will be held to raise UAH 7.5 million for sports prostheses for veterans. The project is implemented with the support of the Ukrainian Football Association, Superhumans Center, Pokrova AMP Football Club, and MEGOGO.

Mastercard and Oschadbank have announced the launch of the “Match for Heroes” project, the key event of which will be a charity football match to be held on October 20 at the Viktor Bannikov National Sports Complex in Kyiv. Veterans with amputated limbs - patients of the Superhumans Center - and famous Ukrainian stars, including Anatoliy Anatolich, Oleksandr Pedan, Ivan Liulenov and others, will meet on the football field. 

The game will be played in a 7v7 format, with two halves lasting 20 minutes each and a 15-minute break. Tickets to the match can be obtained by making a donation on the Superhumans Center website: the first 250 participants who donate UAH 100 or more with a Mastercard from any bank will receive two invitations to the game. The match will be broadcast on the MEGOGO media service and on the MEGOGO Sport YouTube channel.

"Match for Heroes" is a tribute to all Ukrainians who, despite the circumstances and injuries they have received, continue to move forward. Every day we at Mastercard strive to create a world of equal opportunities for all, and with this project we want to take another step in building a Ukraine without barriers. We are pleased to join forces with our partners for an initiative that will open a new page in the development of barrier-free sports and reintegration of veterans”, Inga Andreeva, CEO of Mastercard Ukraine and Moldova.

The charity project aims to raise UAH 7.5 million for sports prostheses for veterans who have lost their limbs. From September 20 to October 31, 2024, inclusive, one hryvnia from each transaction with a Mastercard card from Oschadbank will be transferred to the collection for Superhumans Center patients in need of sports prostheses.

"Assistance in recovery from injuries and reintegration of war veterans into civilian life is an important part of Oschadbank's inclusive program “My Barrier-Free”. Sports is one of the best ways to rehabilitate wounded defenders, who often need high-quality sports prostheses for training and competitions. By joining forces within this project, we will be able to provide our heroes with the necessary prosthetics and thus once again show our gratitude and respect for the fact that Ukraine remains an independent and free state”, comments Serhiy Naumov, Chairman of the Management Board of Oschadbank.

The aim of the project is to overcome prejudice against people with disabilities and promote the social reintegration of veterans with amputations, creating conditions for their active lifestyle.

"For almost two years of work, we have realized that Superhumans not only returns lost opportunities to Ukrainians, but also opens up new dreams, goals, plans, and thus achievements. Today, our graduates, who are able to stand on their own two feet again, conquer mountain peaks - even though they were not interested in tourism before, run marathons - even though they have never even put on sneakers before, and join professional sports, even though they never planned to. And in addition, they achieve tremendous success not only in Ukraine but also in global competitions. That is why this project is so important to us. We are happy that we already have a long and positive experience of cooperation with each stakeholder, and now these partners have come together to give even more opportunities to those who definitely deserve it!” says Olga Rudneva, CEO of Superhumans Center.

"Match for Heroes" will be held in a unique format with the participation of players wearing sports prostheses, while taking into account the best practices of amputee football (football for people with amputations).

"Football is the most popular and widespread sport in the world, with extraordinary unifying and healing power. The Ukrainian Football Association supports people interested in adaptive sports and actively develops amputees. There are no limits when you want to get back into the game! We thank our partners for the joint project and the important goal 2”, added Olena Balbek, Advisor to the President of the Ukrainian Football Association.

 

Press service of Oschadbank