OSUIA: Regional Sports Forum of Veterans “Strong of Ukraine”
On March 18, the Regional Sports Forum of Veterans “Strong of Ukraine” took place at OSUIA.
The forum aimed to discuss current issues of veterans' rehabilitation, ways of their solution, prospects of rehabilitation through sports, and the development of the veteran sports community in the region.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Leonid Tymchenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Odesa Regional State (Military) Administration Oleksandr Kharlov and People's Deputy of Ukraine Oleksii Leonov addressed the audience with welcoming words.
“We must be prepared for the fact that there will be more veterans in Ukraine, and we must create all the conditions for their comfortable life. This concerns both life in society and opportunities for employment. Currently, a large number of servicemen who were injured on the front line are working in the Ministry of Internal Affairs," noted Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Leonid Tymchenko.
In turn, First Deputy Chairman of the Odesa Regional State (Military) Administration Oleksandr Kharlov remarked:
“We continue to work with our international partners on the rehabilitation issues and we are trying to create all the conditions for Odesa region to truly become a southern hub for rehabilitation. Currently, together with the National Police and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, we are implementing the President's program in the region on employment of our military personnel who were injured as a result of armed aggression and cannot perform their service duties, into the police force.”
One aspect of socialization is the possibility for military personnel to drive again despite severe injuries or amputation. Thus, driving schools for persons with disabilities operate on the basis of educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Rector of the Odesa State University of Internal Affairs, Dmytro Shvets, provided more details about the work of one such school:
“With the support of the Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko, there is a driving school for people with disabilities in every institution of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and our university is no exception. We have specially equipped cars and instructors who work with this category of people. In addition, we provide accommodation during their training at the driving school.”
The discussion took place within three panel discussions: “Sports and Rehabilitation Policy in a Regional Context”, “The Role of Sports in Veterans' Rehabilitation” and “The Path to Recovery: Veterans' Experience.”.
Participants noted the importance of an open and high-quality dialogue on sports rehabilitation and social reintegration between war veterans, government authorities, and business representatives providing sports and recreational services.
As part of the event, a presentation of the mobile application for sports rehabilitation of veterans TrenVet by the public organization "Ukrainian Strongman Federation" took place, offering the opportunity to find a coach and receive free sports rehabilitation.