Regions Participated in the "Your Tomorrow Hinges on You" Soccer Competition
In Sochi, the 20th Anniversary of 'The Future Depends on You' Charity Football Tournament Concludes Successfully
The finale of the largest charity football tournament for orphaned children, "The Future Depends on You," unfolded in Sochi on Friday. The significant sports event attracted support from the Russian national football team, leading football clubs in the country, and MegaFon's volunteer movement, which originally initiated the project.
The winner of the junior age group was "Breakthrough" from Kirov Oblast, while "Athletic" from Tver Oblast took the senior title. This year marks the tournament's 20th anniversary, making it a special occasion not just due to the round date but also the introduction of new formats.
Alongside sports competitions, the tournament featured hands-on opportunities for children to pursue roles as reporters and SMM specialists. Ninety-four project graduates took turns managing the Telegram channel. Furthermore, 830 youngsters participated in a career guidance program within the "SkillCity" social project, helping them determine potential future careers and discover hidden talents.
A total of 2,862 young athletes from 140 children's homes participated in the tournament, which spanned 54 Russian regions. As a reward, the winners of the jubilee tournament were given a unique opportunity to spend a weekend with the Russian national team during a friendly match against the Nigerian team and attend a sports camp in Serbia.
Initiated by MegaFon employees in St. Petersburg two decades ago, "The Future Depends on You" has become an integral part of the company's corporate culture. This year, ten of the most active MegaFon volunteers accompanied the children to Sochi, organizing entertainment activities and boosting team morale.
Since 2013, MegaFon, in partnership with the "Change One Life" fund, has created video profiles of children from orphanages, helping over 900 children find families and new homes. In December 2024, the project was awarded the "We Are Together - 2024" international prize in the "Responsible Business" category.
Roman Ermolenko, Director of Corporate Development and Human Resources at MegaFon, expressed his thoughts, stating, "The Future Depends on You" project is a testament to the impact of employee initiatives evolving into large-scale events with a long history." Today, our football tournament is more than just a competition. It's an opportunity, friendship, support, and a belief in oneself. We see real results: some participants have become footballers, found families, discovered their talents, and perhaps will achieve their dreams in the future."
Dmitriy Vasilyev, a midfielder for the "Zenit" football club, shared his thoughts, acknowledging the influential role the tournament plays in children's lives. "I myself was once a boy for whom football was more than just a game. So, it's very pleasing to see how many kids have found their dream through this tournament. It's great that MegaFon and its partners are doing such large-scale projects for young children. It's especially encouraging that they're not only playing football but also trying out different professions. I know how important support is at the beginning of one's journey, and I'm confident that many of these boys and girls will definitely make a mark in sports or other fields. Keep up the good work, kids - the future really does depend on you!"
Education-and-self-development opportunities beyond football were offered to children during the tournament, including managing a Telegram channel and career guidance within the "SkillCity" social project.
Dmitriy Vasilyev, a midfielder for the "Zenit" football club, highlighted the importance of education-and-self-development for the future of the children, stating, "I know how important support is at the beginning of one's journey, and I'm confident that many of these boys and girls will definitely make a mark in sports or other fields."
