«Tournament of Courage» on the Day of Defenders of...

«Tournament of Courage» on the Day of Defenders of Ukraine was held at OSUIA

On October 9, Odesa State University of Internal Affairs hosted a large-scale competition, the «Tournament of Courage», dedicated to the Day of Defenders of Ukraine. The event brought together more than 100 veterans, military personnel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, police officers, rescuers, and cadets, including representatives of all agencies and departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Odesa region.

The tournament began with a solemn opening ceremony, during which those present honored the memory of the fallen heroes with a minute of silence.

Among the guests of honor were Major General Oleh Pidlubnyi, head of the Southern Odesa Territorial Administration of the National Guard of Ukraine; Colonel Ihor Fisalovych, deputy head of the Southern Regional Administration of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine; representatives of law enforcement agencies in the Odesa region; veterans of the russian-Ukrainian war, and Ukrainian sports legend, master of sports in sambo and hand-to-hand combat Mykola Pasichnyk.

The participants were addressed by the university rector, police colonel Viacheslav Davydenko:

- The "Tournament of Courage" brings together those who are not afraid of challenges, who prove that strength of spirit is stronger than any limitations. Each participant in this tournament is an example of perseverance and belief in their own abilities. I would like to address the veteran athletes separately. Special respect goes to you. You embody courage, pride, and dignity. Your example is a source of inspiration for the younger generation, for all of us. You are our support, our motivation, our resilience. This tournament is more than just sport. It is a platform for communication, support, and mutual understanding. May it become a symbol of resilience and faith that together we are invincible. I wish all participants faith in their own strength, sporting luck, and new achievements! Glory to Ukraine!

The «Tournament of Courage» brought together teams representing: the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Odesa region, the Southern Odesa Territorial Directorate of the National Guard of Ukraine, the «Omega-3» Special Purpose Detachment of the «Omega» Special Purpose Center of the National Guard of Ukraine, the Southern Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Odesa Region, the Main Directorate of the State Migration Service of Ukraine in Odesa Region, the Odesa Directorate of the Internal Security Department of the National Police of Ukraine, the State Institution «Territorial Medical Association of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in Odesa Region», Main Service Center of the State Service of Ukraine for Civil Protection in Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson Regions, Military Academy (Odesa), Institute of Naval Forces of the National University «Odesa Maritime Academy», and Odesa State University of Internal Affairs.

Military personnel, police officers, rescuers, and cadets competed in exciting strength and functional CrossFit relay races. For war veterans, the tournament consisted of five types of adaptive sports: bench press, seated dumbbell press, rowing machine, air bike, and ski machine.

Each participant demonstrated incredible strength of spirit, perseverance, and endurance.

After the sports competitions were over, the best teams and participants were awarded prizes. Special words of gratitude were expressed to the veterans, who not only took part in the competitions, but also set an example of courage, fortitude, and devotion to Ukraine.