Ukraine Hosts First Amputee Football Tournament for War Veterans

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Ukraine has successfully organized its inaugural amputee football tournament, named the League Of The Mighty, in Kyiv. The event featured five teams comprised of players who lost limbs during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Each team consisted of six outfield players, all of whom were lower-limb amputees, and one goalkeeper, who had lost an upper limb. Notably, the players participated without prosthetics, using crutches instead.

The tournament aimed to promote rehabilitation and social integration for war-wounded athletes. Valentyn Osovskyi, captain of the victorious Pokrova AMP team, expressed aspirations to establish a championship that could compete at the international level.

Mykola Gatala, captain of another team, remarked on the positive impact of football on both physical recovery and mental health, emphasizing the camaraderie among players who share similar experiences.

Andriy Shevchenko, a renowned former Ukraine striker and current football association president, indicated that amputee football will be a focal point for development in the coming years. According to organizers, more than 100,000 people in Ukraine are amputees, primarily due to injuries sustained in the war.

Adviser Olena Balbek emphasized the importance of sports in normalizing the presence of amputees in society and fostering rehabilitation. The tournament marks a significant step towards supporting those affected by the war and enhancing their quality of life through sports.

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