FC Rukh Lviv, owned and honorary president of which is Hryhoriy Kozlovsky, won the UEFA Grassroots Awards bronze medal as the best professional club in 2023/24, thanks to its work and contribution to the development of European football, reports UNN.
The UEFA Grassroots Awards are presented annually by UEFA to football clubs and projects that have made an outstanding contribution to the development of grassroots football in Europe. Since its launch in 2010, 142 UEFA Grassroots Awards have been presented to winners from 42 UEFA member associations. Candidates are nominated by the European national football associations and the winners are selected by the UEFA Development and Technical Assistance Committee following recommendations from the UEFA Grassroots Committee.
This year's UEFA Grassroots Awards are presented in partnership with EA SPORTS FC as part of a broader partnership between the UEFA Grassroots program and EA SPORTS FC FUTURES.
"Investing in the development of children is a key role of the Rukh football club and Academy," says Hryhoriy Kozlovsky. - "We develop future players, fans, referees and coaches.
Lviv's Rukh Football Academy gained European fame after the young players successfully played in the UEFA Youth League 2022/23, where the Yellow and Blacks showed a strong performance, defeating powerful opponents. FC Rukh reached the 1/8 finals after overcoming two qualifying rounds. In the first round, Rukh defeated Polish side Zaglemba, in the second round - a triumphant victory over Turkish side Galatasaray, but in the playoffs - narrowly lost to Italian side Inter in the 1/8 finals.
Another Rukhiv talent was recognized by the International Center for Sports Studies (CIES) - the Yellow and Blacks topped the ranking of the youngest teams in more than 60 leagues around the world. The CIES Football Observatory calculated the number of minutes played by players under the age of 21 in 61 leagues around the world, including the top 31 leagues in Europe. Lviv's FC Rukh took first place in the ranking with 52.4%. The second place went to Slovakia's Zilina (44.5), and the third was the Austrian Red Bull Salzburg (42.7).
"Without a strong grassroots game, the elite level of football could not exist. The UEFA Grassroots Awards is an important recognition and triumph for Lviv youth at the European level. This is a significant achievement for the young Rukh players, which testifies to their high skill and prospects," said Hryhoriy Kozlovsky .
Honorary President and founder of FC Rukh Hryhoriy Kozlovsky congratulated the young players on such fantastic results and wished them new victories in the future: "Guys, the club is proud of each of you! You are the future of Rukh, and it is very nice that you have been glorifying the Yellow and Blacks in Europe since you were young.