Shakhtar Social and BTN Foundation launched an amputee football initiative
Monday, August 31, 2026
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The first BTN Start pitch, aimed at developing amputee football, has been opened in Irpin
Shakhtar Social and BTN Foundation have launched the BTN Start initiative to develop amputee football and encourage veterans and defenders of Ukraine to take part in sport.
The first pitch for regular amputee football sessions was opened in Irpin. New locations will also be established in other communities in the Kyiv region, including Bilohorodka and Bila Tserkva.
As part of BTN Start, the necessary conditions will be created for sports training, physical rehabilitation and social adaptation of participants. Psychological support for everyone who needs it will also be an important part of the initiative.
The first pitch for regular amputee football sessions was opened in Irpin. New locations will also be established in other communities in the Kyiv region, including Bilohorodka and Bila Tserkva.
As part of BTN Start, the necessary conditions will be created for sports training, physical rehabilitation and social adaptation of participants. Psychological support for everyone who needs it will also be an important part of the initiative.
It was interesting to try amputee football because it is a completely different kind of physical exertion. I’ll attend the sessions from time to time to unwind and meet fellow servicemen
Eduard Kulakov, veteran and reigning European strongman champion:
– Football is interesting, but unusual for me as I only played it at school during breaks and PE lessons. It was interesting to try amputee football because it is a completely different kind of physical exertion. I’ll attend the sessions from time to time to unwind and meet fellow servicemen. People with amputations have approached me and asked how they can take up sport – now I know what to recommend to them!
The initiative aims to make amputee football more accessible, involve more people in training and demonstrate the potential of sport as an important tool for physical and emotional recovery.
BTN Start is being implemented through the joint efforts of Shakhtar Social and BTN Foundation, with the support of the Veterans Policy Department of Irpin City Council. For more information about the project and how to join the training sessions, call +38 095 613 07 02 (Alina).
– Football is interesting, but unusual for me as I only played it at school during breaks and PE lessons. It was interesting to try amputee football because it is a completely different kind of physical exertion. I’ll attend the sessions from time to time to unwind and meet fellow servicemen. People with amputations have approached me and asked how they can take up sport – now I know what to recommend to them!
The initiative aims to make amputee football more accessible, involve more people in training and demonstrate the potential of sport as an important tool for physical and emotional recovery.
BTN Start is being implemented through the joint efforts of Shakhtar Social and BTN Foundation, with the support of the Veterans Policy Department of Irpin City Council. For more information about the project and how to join the training sessions, call +38 095 613 07 02 (Alina).
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