Andrii Matiukha and the Favbet Foundation: supporting sports and educational initiatives for youth
During times of social and security challenges, charitable initiatives aimed at the development of children and teenagers play a significant role. Andrii Valeriiovych Matiukha and the Favbet Foundation continue to support sports and educational projects focused on creating an environment for the physical and psychological development of the younger generation.
Cooperation between the Favbet Foundation and sports schools
In April 2025, a series of events dedicated to World Table Tennis Day took place in Kyiv. The events were held at the PULSE school — a social project of the Mariupol Table Tennis Federation. The program included both sports activities and creative formats of participant interaction. Guests could try non-standard table tennis tables, decorate equipment, create wool balls, and assemble mosaics. A mobile kitchen organized by a volunteer battalion was also in operation at the venue.
Special attention was drawn to training sessions held by the 2025 Ukrainian champion Anton Molochko and the school’s founder Vadym Kubov. The final part of the program was an open table tennis tournament that brought together amateur players from across the country.
The following day, the venue hosted participants of the National Competition for athletes from different regions of Ukraine. As president of the foundation, Andrii Matiukha supported the event, which gathered coaches and youth for a shared competition and demonstration of sports skills.
Support for children's competitions by Andrii Valeriiovych Matiukha
On May 3, 2025, two events took place at Youth Sports School No. 14 in the capital: a judo championship and the boxing festival “Olympic Hopes.” More than 200 children from Kyiv and Boyarka participated in the competitions. The tournaments brought together 112 young judokas and 102 boxers from the clubs:
“Gong,”
“Kozak,”
“Nika,”
“SpartaBox,”
“Toros,”
“Boiets.”
The event was held under the slogan: “Victory is not everything, everything is the constant desire to win.” It was attended by representatives of local authorities, the sports sector, and educational institutions, including district leadership, Kyiv City Council deputies, and officials from the Department of Youth and Sports. Andrii Matiukha, who heads the Favbet Foundation, emphasized the importance of creating a space where children can grow, train, and thrive in a supportive and stable environment.
Support for sports clubs for children of military personnel and displaced persons
As part of its youth support program, the foundation is implementing the “Stronger Together” initiative. Its foundation is the creation of free sports clubs focused on children of military personnel and internally displaced persons (IDPs). In Kyiv, the following types of clubs are available:
football;
basketball;
wrestling;
boxing;
combat sambo.
These clubs allow children to engage in regular training regardless of financial difficulties. According to Andrii Matiukha, sports remain a crucial component of developing character, resilience, and teamwork skills. That’s why the foundation provides support within a long-term strategy focused on systematic participation in the development of sports infrastructure.
“We support projects that make sports accessible to everyone — regardless of age, ability, or status. Inclusion through sports is an important step toward a strong and united society,” says Andrii Matiukha.
Preparing coaches and athletes for emergency situations
In 2025, a new project was launched in partnership with the FAST organization. Its goal is to teach members of the sports community the basics of pre-medical aid. The program includes eight-hour training modules. As of May, more than 200 national team athletes have already completed the training.
By the end of the year, more than 1,800 additional participants — coaches, sports professionals, and institutional staff — are expected to join. The project includes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that can be useful during training sessions or competitions.
Systematic work: a long-term approach
Andrii Matiukha and the Favbet Foundation adhere to the principle of long-term impact in the implementation of their initiatives. Instead of one-time support, the foundation focuses its efforts on building sustainable infrastructure. In cooperation with coaches, schools, communities, and local authorities, the foundation develops projects that enable children to consistently engage in sports, improve physical fitness, and increase social activity.
Currently, various sports clubs are operating in Kyiv. They are accessible to a wide range of children — especially those in need of additional support. At the heart of these projects is a belief in the potential of youth, which can be unlocked through stability, mentorship, and regular training.
