The Third Ukrainian Adaptive Football Conference was held in Lviv
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
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The conference brought together Ukrainian and international experts to discuss the development of amputee football and support for people with amputations
On Wednesday, October 28, Lviv hosted the conference on adaptive football, organised by Shakhtar Social. It brought together around 70 representatives of the sporting community, civil society organisations and businesses, as well as rehabilitation specialists, to discuss the development of amputee football in Ukraine.
One of the key topics was the development of adaptive football as a sustainable support system for people affected by the war. Participants discussed international experience, ways to engage children in adaptive sport, the main challenges involved in organising the Ukrainian Amputee Football Championship, and opportunities for cooperation between sports organisations, businesses and the civil society sector.
One of the key topics was the development of adaptive football as a sustainable support system for people affected by the war. Participants discussed international experience, ways to engage children in adaptive sport, the main challenges involved in organising the Ukrainian Amputee Football Championship, and opportunities for cooperation between sports organisations, businesses and the civil society sector.
It is encouraging that we are organising this conference for the third consecutive year and seeing such strong interest in the event. Shakhtar has always been a socially responsible club. Decisions like these are never even up for discussion – they are made straight away
Yurii Svyrydov, FC Shakhtar Director of Strategic Initiatives:
– Promoting amputee football is extremely important, as the war is ongoing and, according to statistics, around 100,000 people in Ukraine have undergone amputations. We therefore need to create the conditions that enable them to play sport, return to social life and remain active. It is encouraging that we are organising this conference for the third consecutive year and seeing such strong interest in the event. Shakhtar has always been a socially responsible club. Decisions like these are never even up for discussion – they are made straight away. We were the first UPL club to establish an amputee football team. This area is now developing rapidly, and our mission is to provide the conditions needed to support it. I’m convinced that Shakhtar will always stand alongside and support the development of amputee football in Ukraine.
Particular attention was also paid to the reintegration of male and female veterans, psychological resilience, and the role of team sport in recovery from traumatic experiences. Adaptive football helps not only improve physical fitness, but also rebuild self-confidence, find support among like-minded people and return to active participation in society.
– Promoting amputee football is extremely important, as the war is ongoing and, according to statistics, around 100,000 people in Ukraine have undergone amputations. We therefore need to create the conditions that enable them to play sport, return to social life and remain active. It is encouraging that we are organising this conference for the third consecutive year and seeing such strong interest in the event. Shakhtar has always been a socially responsible club. Decisions like these are never even up for discussion – they are made straight away. We were the first UPL club to establish an amputee football team. This area is now developing rapidly, and our mission is to provide the conditions needed to support it. I’m convinced that Shakhtar will always stand alongside and support the development of amputee football in Ukraine.
Particular attention was also paid to the reintegration of male and female veterans, psychological resilience, and the role of team sport in recovery from traumatic experiences. Adaptive football helps not only improve physical fitness, but also rebuild self-confidence, find support among like-minded people and return to active participation in society.
FANT and Shakhtar Social are working together on projects in Chernihiv and Mykolaiv, where we are refining our methods, learning from our mistakes and finding approaches to social rehabilitation
Natasja Vestmø, Project Manager, FANT (Denmark):
– Amputee football conferences are very important because they bring us together to share our expertise. FANT and Shakhtar Social are working together on projects in Chernihiv and Mykolaiv, where we are refining our methods, learning from our mistakes and finding approaches to social rehabilitation. Our partnership is still new, but we plan to scale it up.
The development of amputee football in Ukraine requires a joint effort from football clubs, civil society organisations, rehabilitation specialists, businesses and international partners. The conference provided a platform for sharing experience and discussing the next steps towards expanding opportunities for veterans, people with amputations and children to take part in sport.
– Amputee football conferences are very important because they bring us together to share our expertise. FANT and Shakhtar Social are working together on projects in Chernihiv and Mykolaiv, where we are refining our methods, learning from our mistakes and finding approaches to social rehabilitation. Our partnership is still new, but we plan to scale it up.
The development of amputee football in Ukraine requires a joint effort from football clubs, civil society organisations, rehabilitation specialists, businesses and international partners. The conference provided a platform for sharing experience and discussing the next steps towards expanding opportunities for veterans, people with amputations and children to take part in sport.
Supporting amputee football and amputee sport in general should become a social norm because it is important to support men and women by creating opportunities for them to pursue their passions
Roman Balashov, IT entrepreneur and investor:
– Supporting amputee football and amputee sport in general should become a social norm because it is important to support men and women by creating opportunities for them to pursue their passions. Mutual support is essential in team sports, and being part of such an environment allows people to look to one another for support. To help develop amputee football, businesses can contribute not only financial support but also technology, communication opportunities and expertise.
The event was organised at the initiative of FC Shakhtar and the Shakhtar Social foundation, with the support of partners FANT (For A New Tomorrow, Denmark) and BTN Foundation, brands Traumeel S Gel and Karpatska Dzherelna, and the Ukrainian Association of Football.
– Supporting amputee football and amputee sport in general should become a social norm because it is important to support men and women by creating opportunities for them to pursue their passions. Mutual support is essential in team sports, and being part of such an environment allows people to look to one another for support. To help develop amputee football, businesses can contribute not only financial support but also technology, communication opportunities and expertise.
The event was organised at the initiative of FC Shakhtar and the Shakhtar Social foundation, with the support of partners FANT (For A New Tomorrow, Denmark) and BTN Foundation, brands Traumeel S Gel and Karpatska Dzherelna, and the Ukrainian Association of Football.
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