While Ukrainian soldiers defend their country every day, their children are forced to grow up in a war zone—facing stress, anxiety, and limited opportunities for development. To support young athletes from the families of defenders, the international initiative “Ukrainian Champions” is being launched to help them continue training, compete, and keep faith in their future.
American-Ukrainian singer and founder of a charitable foundation, Kelsey Kimberlin, has announced the launch of a program that provides scholarships to the children of Ukraine’s defenders so they can participate in sports clubs and competitions. This initiative offers tangible support to those whose families often cannot afford even the basic costs of training, uniforms, or travel to tournaments.
“These children carry a tremendous emotional burden. Sports can serve as a source of support for them—a place of strength, discipline, and self-confidence,” emphasizes Kelsey Kimberlin.
The campaign’s symbol was the story of 16-year-old Ukrainian karateka Maria Hnes, the daughter of a serviceman. The young woman earned not only a sporting victory but also the respect of millions when she refused to shake hands with her Russian opponent. Her act was a demonstration of dignity, integrity, and inner strength—qualities that are shaping a new generation of Ukrainians today.
The music video for “Champ”, filmed in Kyiv during the shelling, is dedicated to this very story. What you see on screen isn’t a staged performance, but reality: sirens, shelters, explosions nearby. And at the same time—an indomitable spirit that allows children to dream, train, and triumph despite everything. The video has already gone viral, racking up nearly 1 million views on YouTube in less than a month.
The “Ukrainian Champions” campaign aims to support as many children as possible who want to play sports but have lost that opportunity due to the war. The funds raised will be used to cover the costs of training, equipment, and competition participation for a period of 6 to 12 months.
Background. Kelsie Kimberlin is an American-Ukrainian singer, producer, and social activist, and the founder of the Kelsie Kimberlin Foundation. She has actively supported Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war, implementing cultural and humanitarian projects aimed at drawing international attention to events in Ukraine. Her music videos have garnered millions of views and are streamed on international platforms. In 2025, she was honored with a UN humanitarian award for her contribution to supporting Ukraine. The documentary film about Ukraine, “The Last Message”, has received numerous awards at international film festivals and is preparing for a wide release.
Source: https://1plus1.ua/draft-5xuvjqha4a/ukrainian-champions-koly-startuie-initsiatyva-shcho-vidomo
