"Betking Foundation & Goleador Royal Cup": how Pavlo Zhurilo's charitable foundation develops children's football in Ukraine

The development of children's football in Ukraine today has ceased to be a purely sports issue and has become an important element of supporting children and their social adaptation. The All-Ukrainian Children's Football Tournament "Royal Cup Betking Foundation & Goleador", organized by the Betking Foundation and held in Kyiv, has become a vivid example of how systematic charity creates real opportunities for hundreds of children even during the war.

The project was implemented under the leadership of the foundation's founder Pavlo Zhurilo in cooperation with the famous sports blogger, influencer, and footballer Ivan Goleador. The tournament brought together 48 teams and 672 young footballers born in 2018-2019 from different parts of the country.

Betking Foundation Strategy: Investing in Accessible Sports

The key principle advocated by Pavlo Zhurilo and the Betking Foundation team is the accessibility of sports for every child. That is why participation in the tournament was completely free — without entry fees and financial barriers.

This approach allows children from various social groups, including children from socially vulnerable categories, to be involved in sports. For a significant number of participants, the "Royal Cup Betking Foundation & Goleador" became the first step into big football and an opportunity to believe in their own abilities.

Every child is a part of our country's future, and our task is to give them support today. The "Royal Cup" became for children not just the first big professional challenge, but a school for character formation. We invest not in the game, but in a child's belief in their own abilities, in the ability to take a hit and feel the elbow of a partner. These emotions and lessons of dignity lay the foundation for a personality that will build a strong and successful Ukraine tomorrow

Tournament Results and Triumphs

The tournament, which became one of the largest children's football events in Ukraine in its age category, showed a high level of team preparation and competitive struggle. In the U-7 age category, Kyiv's "Livyi Bereh" won gold, defeating "Lyceum Rodnykivka" from Cherkasy region 3:1 in a tense final. Bronze medals were awarded to the UCSA team from Tarasivka.

The U-8 stage was no less dramatic, where the fate of the trophy was decided in a penalty shootout: the capital's "Profik" defeated "Wolves" 3:2. Bronze medals were won by "Lokomotyv" from Kyiv.

Football as a Tool for Support and Unity

However, the main results of the project are measured not by the score on the scoreboard, but by the depth of its social impact. For the Betking Foundation, which is part of the King Group, the tournament is one of the stages of a long-term strategy to support children and develop children's sports.

The foundation, founded by Pavlo Zhurilo, consistently develops initiatives aimed at supporting children from vulnerable categories, using sports as a tool for socialization and development. In a situation where access to quality training and competitions is often limited, such projects open up new opportunities for children and restore their faith in themselves.

Betking Foundation initiatives demonstrate that a combination of charity, sports, and a systematic approach can be an effective tool for supporting children. In this context, sports become not only a game but a language of unity, development, and faith in the future of Ukraine.

About Betking Foundation

The Betking Foundation, founded by Pavlo Zhurilo and part of the King Group, transforms social initiatives into real opportunities for children and youth. The foundation pays special attention to internally displaced children and those who have lost loved ones due to the war, helping them through sports, education, and psychological support. The Betking Foundation invests resources in creating a healthy and safe environment for children, helping them develop teamwork, acquire new knowledge, and restore emotional balance. The foundation's social mission is to create opportunities for the harmonious development and social adaptation of the younger generation.