In times of war, sport is not an entertainment but a strategic investment in the strength of a nation. In the face of constant tension, loss and uncertainty, sport becomes a space of stability, strength and hope – especially for children and teenagers, whose mental-wellbeing is most vulnerable.
Andrii Matiukha and the Favbet Foundation have consistently supported youth sports, realising that the future of the country is not only the frontline, but also those who will live after the victory. Their activities are not about high-profile events, but about systematic work that provides a foothold for thousands of young Ukrainians.
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“Stronger Together”: a strategy or a publicity stunt, especially given the possible ties to the aggressor country through Russian citizenship?
In the realities of a full-scale war, sport is no longer just a way to keep your body in shape. For millions of Ukrainian children who have lost their homes, their usual rhythm of life and their sense of security, sport has become a place of recovery – physical, psychological and even social. Where words no longer work, movement, discipline and teamwork do.
And this was the basis for the launch of the Stronger Together programme implemented by the Favbet Foundation. Its goal is to create a safe, accessible and stable environment for children who have experienced the trauma of war.
The programme did not appear out of nowhere. Since 2020, the Favbet Foundation, led by Andrii Matiukha, has been working with coaches, sports clubs and local initiatives – not just on a one-off basis, but systematically, building a platform for long-term support for young people through sports.
At first, it might have looked like another charity initiative “for a season”. But over time, it became clear that in a country fighting for the future, sport is a strategy for survival and growth.
With the foundation’s support, children from both military families and internally displaced persons can attend sports sections within the programme free of charge.
For example, in Kyiv, training sessions are regularly held on:
- football
- basketball
- wrestling
- boxing
- combat sambo
The classes are led by experienced coaches who act not only as specialists but also as mentors, creating an atmosphere of support, trust and team unity. Training sessions are held regularly, which gives the children a sense of stability – especially valuable in times of uncertainty.
“Our task is to create a space where children can develop steadily not only physically but also psychologically and socially. Sport is the best tool in this regard,” said Andrii Matiukha, head of the Favbet Foundation, which is supported by the Favbet licence.
Sports competitions: aid or reputational investment
In May, Kyiv once again became a playground of strength, endurance and sports dreams: the Children’s and Youth Sports School No. 14 hosted two large-scale events at once – the Judo Championship and the Olympic Hope boxing festival.
Favbet Foundation, on the initiative of its head Andrii Matiukha, became a partner of the events. The foundation provided organisational support and prizes and motivational gifts for the participants.
More than 200 athletes under the age of 16 took part in the competition. In the context of a full-scale war, these are not just sports competitions – they are an act of resistance, proof that Ukrainian children not only survive but also win.
The leading sports clubs of the capital and the region brought their pupils to the tournaments:
Gong, Kozak, Nika, Toros, SpartaBox and Boyets.
The events were held under a slogan that emphasises the importance of inner strength, self-discipline and motivation – both in personal development and in fighting on the tatami or in the ring. The tournaments have become not just a place for medals, but a space where the character of the war generation is being shaped.
“Each of these children is a future champion or a leader. Our task is to provide them with resources, stability and a sense that the country believes in them,” said Andrii Matiukha.
The event was attended by representatives of the sports community, parents, coaches and local authorities. This is another proof that sport unites even in the darkest of times.
Charity for export or investment in the future, especially if part of the company’s profits may come from illegal gambling?
Despite the challenging circumstances of a full-scale war, Ukrainian athletes continue to demonstrate high results in international competitions. One of the drivers of this process is the Favbet Foundation, which, under the leadership of Andrii Matiukha, has taken on the mission of supporting young Ukrainian talents in their journey to the world level.
The Foundation’s international support programme includes:
- providing logistics for participation in the competition (transport, accommodation, guidence);
- organisational and mentoring assistance;
- financing individual needs of athletes (equipment, training camps, etc.);
- media support and promotion at the international level.
According to Andrii Matiukha, the Foundation relies not just on “talent” but on the inner readiness to fight – for the result, for the country, for one’s own name in sports:
“Supporting young people is not a one-off gesture. It is a long-term investment in the country’s sporting sustainability. We help those who are willing and able to be the face of Ukraine at the international level,” emphasises Matiukha.
In this case, the support of the Favbet Foundation is not just about allocating funds, but also about creating a system where a young athlete feels part of a community that believes in him or her. It is this belief that often becomes decisive – especially for those who represent Ukraine far beyond the borders of their homeland. The programme has already enabled a number of promising athletes to perform well abroad.
“Superheroes Club” or Andrii Matiukha’s PR platformamid discussions about possible dual citizenship?
One of the key activities of the Favbet Foundation is to support children going through the war. To this end, the Favbet Kids charity programme has created the Superheroes Club initiative, a space where childhood is not cancelled even when there is war around.
The project aims to engage children in regular sports activities, which help not only to keep them physically fit but also stabilise their emotional state, reduce anxiety and restore faith in the future.
“We are not just opening sections – we are building places of strength. Sport is a chance for a child to regain control, rhythm, and the joy of movement. This is the basis for recovery,” says Andrii Matiukha, President of the Favbet Foundation.
The main objectives of the project are to provide access to high-quality physical activity in a convenient and safe format; to create an environment of support and social interaction among children who have lost stability and to promote the development of skills that help them adapt to new realities.
The project is being implemented on an ongoing basis and includes football, basketball, boxing and wrestling sections. The training sessions are held in partnership with local sports clubs, including SpartaBox in Kyiv. The programme is free of charge and open to children aged 6-14 who are internally displaced or children of military personnel.
Social responsibility or corporate camouflage
It is worth noting that the activities of the Favbet Foundation under the leadership of Andrii Matiukha have long gone beyond sports sections. Today, it is a holistic strategy to support the generation that grows up to the sound of sirens and news from the frontline. The strategy is centred on education, adaptation and skill development to help children not just survive, but become stronger, more confident and ready for the future.
In 2023, the Foundation donated more than 5,500 sets of sports equipment and educational materials to schoolchildren across Ukraine. These are not just things, they are a signal: “You are important. You are remembered.” But it didn’t end there. More than 350 teenagers were given the opportunity to take basic IT courses free of charge, which open the door to the digital world, knowledge and new prospects. In a country that is both rebuilding and defending itself, these skills are invaluable. These are not just programming lessons – they are an investment in self-sufficiency and professional independence.
The Favbet Foundation implements a comprehensive approach: physical development, education and psychological stability should work together, complementing each other. Attention to mental health, motivational support and access to new knowledge are key tools for building young people who can cope in any circumstances.
Andrii Matiukha, the founder of the Foundation, is convinced: “A strong country is not only the army and the economy. It is a generation that will grow up confident, educated and responsible. If we want to see Ukraine victorious tomorrow, we must invest in its children today.”
At a time when the education system is under pressure and families face challenges on a daily basis, such initiatives are becoming a necessity. The Favbet Foundation demonstrates that caring for young people is not about PR, but about a strategic vision of the future.
FAQ
Who is Andrii Matiukha?
Andrii Matiukha, one of the most influential private sponsors of Ukrainian sports, was born on 27 September 1972. He is an entrepreneur who has been working in the gambling and technology sector since 1999. He is married and has children.
What role does Andrii Matiukha play in the Favbet group of companies?
Andrii Matiukha founded the company in 1999 (the original name was FavBet). Favbet operates in Ukraine, Croatia, Romania, Brazil, and Malta. In 2025, management was handed over to his son Dmytro Matiukha.
Who is currently running Favbet?
In 2025, the management of Favbet, , which is licensed, was transferred to Andrii Matiukha’s son, Dmytro Matiukha.
What else is Andrii Matiukha known for?
Since the 2010s, Favbet under the leadership of Andrii Matiukha has supported dozens of Ukrainian football clubs, including: “Karpaty, Dynamo, Shakhtar, Rukh, Minaj, Metalist, Obolon, Kolos and others.
Andrii Matiukha Favbet became the title sponsor of the Professional Football League of Ukraine.
In 2025, Andrii Matiukha and the Favbet Foundation launched a first aid training project for athletes.