Kyiv, March 31, 2026. While Ukrainian military personnel defend the country every day, their children are forced to grow up in conditions of war — with stress, anxiety, and limited opportunities for development. It is to support young athletes from families of defenders that the international initiative “Ukrainian Champions” is being launched, which will help them continue training, compete, and not lose faith in their own future.
American-Ukrainian singer and founder of the Kelsey Kimberlin charity foundation announced the launch of a program that provides scholarships to children of Ukrainian defenders to participate in sports sections and competitions. This is real help for those whose families today often cannot afford even the basic costs of training, uniforms, or trips to tournaments.
“These kids are carrying a huge emotional burden. Sports can be a support for them — a place of strength, discipline, and self-belief,” emphasizes Kelsey Kimberlin.
The campaign is inspired by the story of 16-year-old Ukrainian karateka Maria Gnes, the daughter of a military man. The girl not only won a sporting victory but also the respect of millions when she refused to shake the hand of her Russian rival. Her act became a manifestation of dignity, integrity, and inner strength — qualities that are shaping a new generation of Ukrainians today.
This is the story that the music video “Champ”, filmed in Kyiv during the shelling, is dedicated to. The frame is not a production, but reality: sirens, shelters, explosions nearby. And at the same time, the indomitability that allows children to dream, train and win despite everything. The video is already popular and in less than a month has collected almost 1 million views on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO19HJGbh4o
The Ukrainian Champions campaign aims to support as many children as possible who aspire to play sports but have lost this opportunity due to the war. The funds raised will be used to pay for training, equipment, and participation in competitions for 6–12 months. More information about the initiative: https://ukrainianchampions.com/en/
Reference. Kelsie Kimberlin is an American-Ukrainian singer, producer and public figure, founder of the Kelsie Kimberlin Foundation. She has been actively supporting Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war, implementing cultural and humanitarian projects aimed at attracting international attention to the events in Ukraine. Her musical works have gained millions of views and are broadcast on international platforms. In 2025, she was awarded the UN Humanitarian Award for her contribution to supporting Ukraine. The documentary film about Ukraine “The Last Message” has received a number of awards at international film festivals and is preparing for a wide release.
