"54 areas participated in the "Your Future Hinges on You" soccer competition"
On Friday, the grand finale of the largest charitable football tournament for orphaned children, titled "The Future Hinges on You," took place in Sochi. This significant sporting event was backed by the Russian national football team, prominent domestic football clubs, and the Megafon volunteer movement, which launched the project initially. The victorious teams this year were "Breakthrough" from the Kirov region (younger age group) and "Athletic" from the Tver region (older age group), with all participants receiving accolades as the tournament celebrated its 20-year anniversary.
This year's jubilee tournament stood out due to its innovative formats, introducing new events. In addition to athletic competitions, children were given the chance to practice as reporters and social media specialists, with 94 project alumni leading the event's Telegram channel rotation. Furthermore, 830 young participants engaging in the "SkillCity" social initiative received career guidance, prompting them to identify potential future careers and explore their talents.
A total of 2862 young athletes from 140 children's homes participated in this year's tournament, with the project spanning 54 regions across Russia.
In recognition of their success, the winners of the jubilee tournament will be offered an exclusive opportunity to join the Russian national team during a friendly match against Nigeria and attend a sports camp in Serbia, where they can further their training under professional coaches and interact with young footballers from various countries.
"The Future Hinges on You" tournament has been running for 20 years, attracting nearly 41,000 children's home graduates. The tournament started with an initiative led by Megafon employees in St. Petersburg, and today, it forms part of the company's corporate culture, with 10 of the company's most active volunteers accompanying the children to Sochi to organize entertainment activities and boost team morale.
"The Future Hinges on You” has evolved into a federal project focusing not only on physical development but also on social and family integration. In partnership with the "Change One Life" foundation, Megafon has created video profiles for children from children's homes since 2013, enabling over 900 children to find new families. In December 2024, the project received the title of laureate for the international "#WEARETOGETHER - 2024" award in the "Responsible Business" category.
"The Future Depends on You" stands as an illustration of how the initiative of compassionate employees can grow into a large-scale event with a rich history. Today, our football tournament transcends a simple competition; it embodies potential, friendship, support, and self-belief. Owing to its impact, we witness tangible results: some participants have become professional footballers, found families and friends, and determined their professions, potentially realizing their dreams in the future. We continue to track their progress, and every achievement they cement is a shared triumph for us all," said Roman Ermolenko, Director of Corporate Development and Human Resources at Megafon.
Dmitriy Vasilyev, a midfielder for the football club "Zenit," shared, "I myself was once a boy for whom football meant more than just a game. It's heartening to see how many children have discovered their dreams through this tournament. It's inspiring to see that MegaFon and its partners are spearheading such large-scale projects for young children. It's particularly heartening to see that they're not just playing football but also trying different professions. I understand the importance of support at the beginning of one's journey, and I have faith that many of these boys and girls will undoubtedly leave their mark in sports or other fields. Carry on, team – the future does indeed rely on you!"
Participants of the "The Future Hinges on You" tournament, who are offered an exclusive opportunity to join the Russian national team, can further their training under professional coaches and interact with young footballers from various countries, thereby combining education-and-self-development with their passion for sports.
Dmitriy Vasilyev, a midfielder for "Zenit," highlights the importance of the project not just focusing on sports but also on offering children opportunities to explore various careers, potentially realizing their dreams in different fields. This approach, he believes, will help many of these children leave their mark in sports or other fields, emphasizing the significance of this initiative in their personal development.
