CCTV9英语新闻：Donetsk children kicking off on their football goals

Football, like all sports, is universal. Wherever you go in the world, there are kids playing in an open space, kicking a ball around. East Ukraine is no different, despite the civil war that's only been checked by the recent ceasefire. Ukraine has a strong tradition of professional soccer.

 

Nine-year-old Sasha has talented feet.

 

Three years ago, he joined a football school run by Shakhtar Donetsk, one of Ukraine's top clubs. It's free.... but the training is tough. Sasha knows it has to be.

 

"I want to be a real footballer and play for different teams. We've been to other places to play football, and compete with other teams. We all want to play well and win every game," Sasha said.

 

Ex-professional footballers come to speak at the school and to give extra training. 

 

One of them is Viktor Zvyagintsev, a famous player from the Soviet era, and now the president of Donetsk Football Association.

 

"Donetsk people have regained their hopes. They are working very hard to change their lives. There's a saying that work is strength. I believe people will eventually find a way out. It's the same regarding football. These children will surely achieve better things. It might take five, seven or even ten years, but they will get better and better," Zvyagintsev said.

 

Shakhtar Donetsk has won many Ukrainian championships and regularly features in the Champions League.

 

Its training school was suspended when fighting broke out and many talented young players left the area for safety. 

 

Now, those training at the reopened facility are kicking on with their lives, hoping to rekindle their dreams.