The war veterans of Ukraine and Azerbaijan played a friendly match on ampfootball at the STC them. V. Bannikov

11.09.2019 21:13

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Today, September 11, a friendly match of teams of amputees-participants of hostilities of Ukraine and Azerbaijan took place in Kyiv.

This is the first such event, organized jointly by the Ukrainian Football Association, the National Council for the Sports Rehabilitation of Defenders of Ukraine, the Kyiv City Center for Assistance to Participants in the Anti-Terrorist Operation, the Ukrainian-Azerbaijani Brotherhood, the All-Ukrainian Organization of War Disabled Persons and with the support of the Embassy of Azerbaijan. 

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Both teams participating in the match are formed of veterans of hostilities who received serious injuries, as a result of which they lost limbs. Welcoming the national teams of Ukraine and Azerbaijan, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Ukraine Azer Khudiev noted that this is a very important event for both nations and, above all, for the soldiers themselves. "This is an event of friendship between the two countries, friendship of people who know what it is like to sacrifice yourself for the sake of your homeland. It is a great joy for us diplomats to see the great respect that prevails in the communication between veterans from the two countries, and this is the most important thing in such meetings. The participants of the match sacrificed the most valuable thing for the sake of their homeland - their own health. We bow our heads to you and are grateful for your feat! ”Said Mr. Khudiev. 

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

According to the Hero of Ukraine, the head of the Kyiv Military Lyceum named after Ivan Bohun Igor Gordiychuk, veterans of hostilities of Ukraine and Azerbaijan are united by courage and self-sacrifice in defense of the native land and the native state. "We continue to fight with you, despite everything, including injuries. Such matches only strengthen our good relations and our friendship! I am grateful for this to everyone who joined this project! ”Said Hordiychuk.  

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Oleksandr Tereshchenko, Deputy Minister for Veterans' Affairs, called the participants of the match an example of courage and steadfastness. "You continue to win, but you already have your own problems, the consequences of serious injuries, and football helps you with that. This is a great example for other comrades-in-arms who, after being wounded, despaired of themselves, believing that after the loss of limbs, life ends. But looking at you, they understand that they are also people with disabilities. Thank you to the Ukrainian Football Association, which always supports such events and helps veterans, because this is the best rehabilitation and social support for our soldiers! ”Said Tereshchenko. 

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

First Vice President of the UAF Vadym Kostyuchenko promised that the Ukrainian Football Association will always support such football initiatives and help organize matches and competitions among combatants. Kostyuchenko conveyed greetings from UEFA Executive Committee member, UAF President Andriy Pavelko to the veterans who gathered that day for a friendship match, and noted that it is thanks to football that fearless soldiers have the opportunity to communicate and make new friends from other countries. "You are already winners! It is a great honor for us to have the opportunity to thank you for your feat on the front line and the feat you are doing now on the football fields. I wish you victories that will glorify Ukraine and Azerbaijan, "Kostyuchenko added. 

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The friendly match ended with a friendly draw, and after the match its participants continued to communicate, tell each other their own life stories and share plans for the future. All the participants of the match received gifts and souvenir sets with symbols of Ukraine and Azerbaijan. 

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov