Thanks to the support of the Don Bosco Salesian Mission Office in Bonn, these sports activities for children and young people are developing very well and the number of their participants is increasing.
During this year, a professional team has been created that is able to give its contribution and advice to those looking to start working in this field. "Every day several of our rehabilitation specialists, coaches and psychologists work together to help young people overcome this difficult time and find a new balance in life, find an activity that they like, that gives them hope" Fr Myhkhaylo Chaban, Superior of UKR says.
In this way the Salesians have become the point of reference for the whole of Ukraine. The central football association for amputees at European level, through its President, Mr Mateusz Widlak, is expressing its closeness and supports the various Salesian initiatives. To promote this type of sport, to make it better known, the "Pokrova" Salesian team (which takes its name from the title of the most venerated Madonna in the country, "Our Lady of All Protection"), is participating in the Polish national championship. The desire of the UKR Salesians, however, would be to start a football league for amputees in Ukraine. Meanwhile, following the example of the Salesians, a few months ago two other teams were created in Ukraine: Shakhtar Stalevi of Donetsk and Dnipro Cherkasy.
"In the weekend that has just passed we organised a great and first event for the whole of Ukraine" Fr. Chaban said. We have hosted these teams in our Salesian centre: for formation, play, training and a recreational moment. The purpose was to get to know each other, to dream of a future together. In these three days we have also organised formation for people who would like to create football teams for amputees in their cities ".
From the different cities of Ukraine, in fact, several managers participated who will start these activities in the near future. The Salesians have become a centre where it is possible to prepare well for work with young people, and children who have lived through the horrors of war.
"And with the new Salesian Sports and Rehabilitation Centre that we are planning near Lviv and that we hope we will be able to achieve soon, we want to offer a place of hope for many young people, young people and families" concludes the Superior of UKR.
