Former Gov. George Pataki is scoring with war-weary Ukrainian youth by promoting peace using a surprising tactic — football.
The ex-New York gov — a longtime supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders — and his Pataki Center is helping to organize a third straight year of “Football for Freedom,’’ an uplifting unifying event set for June 23 in Vinnytsia.
As part of the day, more than 12 local grid teams will play in a friendly tournament, with the winner even landing a piece of New York-centric instant Americana — a football signed by New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.
“The NFL donated us some footballs and equipment, and we took that over and had a meeting with the heads of the Ukrainian League of American Football,” Pataki said of one of the earlier events.
“I had reservations because they’re in a war, and stuff like heaters and generators seemed like more of what they need,’’ he said — noting his organization has helped deliver those important items, too.
“But the reaction was just spectacular because it was about having the ability to enjoy something in the midst of war.’’
Pataki said he has been to Ukraine more than a dozen times and that it was “shocking” to learn at one point that there are about 600 players on teams all over the country playing American football.
He touched on the impact that the war has had on Ukraine’s football league because of the war — noting that a vast majority of the players went into the army to defend their country.
The US State Department has come through with grants to help offset the cost of the upcoming event, Pataki said.
“We’re giving the young people hope that there’s life after war and that they don’t have to suffer until this ends,’’ New York’s former top official said.
Next week’s gathering will host more than 300 Ukrainian children and offer them opportunities of mentorship and leadership workshops, as well as soccer clinics and cultural exchange opportunities — not to mention the football match-ups.
Owen Pataki, the former governor’s son, will lead his dad’s center during the trip.
Owen served in the US’s 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan and has been in Ukraine more than seven times since the war began.
His dad said the response each year keeps them all going.
“We have this small little thing in a city in western Ukraine, and that’s nice,’’ George Pataki said.
“But the fact that this is our third one, and it continues to grow, kids just get more excited because they meet people from other parts of Ukraine, and they see that they’re not alone.”