Ivan Kononykhin: "Kryvbas" is us - not just words. This is a real family

Before the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ivan Kononykhin moved to Kryvyi Rih from the Donetsk region. The young football player then played for Shakhtar and was invited to the Kryvbas Academy.

Ivan was born and lived in Makiivka, Donetsk region. He started playing football at the age of 8. Before the start of the full-scale invasion of the orcs, the boy moved to Kryvyi Rih, where he currently lives, on the basis of the Academy. Ivan's family is still under occupation, and he tries to keep in touch with them as much as possible. He says that his parents protect him and do not tell him about the terrible things that happen there.

- In Makiivka, there are parents who take care of the grandmother and grandfather. When the war first started, terrible things happened there. Now, when I talk to my parents, they hardly tell me the details of what is really happening there, - Ivan said.

For a little over a year, the young football player has been living at the base of the Academy. He says that he really likes the conditions, the attitude, the team, the training process.

Robert Gazazyan: The Kryvbas Academy has everything for the development of football players

- I really like Kryvbas Academy. Excellent living conditions, classy and comfortable. As for training, everything is at a high level, there are professional trainers who pay attention to each student. And the motto "Kryvbas" It's Us, it's not just words. Here is really a big red and white family.

The leadership of the "Kryvbas" Academy creates comfortable conditions for every football player. There is also a school near the place of residence, where athletes can study in parallel with training.

Ivan admits that he went to the Academy to develop and with the dream of becoming a professional football player. Now he is 14 years old, he plays in the "Kryvbas" U-16 team under number 9 in the position of right defender. The boy trains hard and dreams of one day joining the main team of FC Kryvbas.

"Kryvbas" Academy - #The best Academy, because there are professional trainers here, with the help of which you can become a champion, emphasizes Ivan.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih