Ukraine’s national team, which includes Ukrainian veterans and military personnel, will take part in the United States Air Force Trials 2024 international adaptive sports competition. The competition will take place in March in Las Vegas, USA.
The team recently completed a training camp, and the Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine met with the team members. During the meeting with Yulia Laputina, the national team representatives discussed the development of adaptive sports in the regions. They also discussed the importance of applying scientific methods and technologies of adaptive sports, involving psychologists in the rehabilitation of veterans and the military, etc.
“I am proud that you have joined and gone through this very difficult selection process and joined the national team. A lot of interesting, but at the same time difficult things are waiting for you. This path is not only about self-improvement and raising your quality of life, but it is also about the opportunity to represent Ukraine in the world. We are repelling the enemy with dignity and winning victories on the frontline, but we also value the sporting victories of veterans,” the Minister said.
Yulia Laputina also emphasized that the veterans and active military who will participate in the United States Air Force Trials 2024 also have a diplomatic mission. They will tell their partners in the United States about Ukraine’s needs, which are necessary to bring our victory closer.
The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs is involved in organizing the participation of the national team in the United States Air Force Trials 2024 international sports competitions. It should be noted that the reintegration of veterans through sports is one of the areas that the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation is actively working on.
“We are convinced that sport is a powerful tool for psychological and physical rehabilitation of veterans. It is an effective means of socialization and reintegration of veterans into society. The projects of rehabilitation of veterans through physical activity, which we have financially supported under the VARTO programs, show amazing results. That’s why we will continue to work to create the conditions under which every veteran can find their place in society. In particular, through sports, and to receive the necessary support,” says Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, Acting Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.
A veteran’s path home can take different routes. One of them is through sports. For many veterans returning to civilian life after being wounded, sport allows them not only to feel the joy of movement, but also to fulfill themselves.
