In Odesa, 21 million has been allocated for sports programs for veterans in 2027

In Odesa, the total funding for the city’s physical culture and sports development program for 2024–2029 amounts to 248.5 million hryvnias. Specifically, in 2027, 21.7 million hryvnias are planned to be allocated to adaptive sports for war veterans and people with disabilities.

This was announced during a meeting of the Odesa City Council’s executive committee on October 19.

According to the draft amendments to the program, a total of 135.5 million hryvnias is allocated for 2027. Of this amount, 98.5 million is planned to be allocated to sports infrastructure.

Specifically, 58.5 million hryvnias are earmarked for major repairs to municipal specialized extracurricular education facilities, and another 40 million for the reconstruction and major repairs of the “Spartak” stadium.

During the meeting, Roman Terentyev, acting head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Odesa City Council, spoke about the development of adaptive sports. According to him, while 16 such events were held in Odesa in 2025, there were already 90 in 2026. Additionally, 860 people with disabilities and war veterans were registered.

Terentyev noted that the number of war veterans with disabilities is growing by 25–30% each year. He emphasized that after returning from the front, veterans need time to adapt, particularly through participation in sports.

In 2027, 21.7 million hryvnias are planned to be allocated to veteran programs. Among the planned events are an international expedition project across Europe—with participants training in Ukraine—as well as the “On the Wave 3.0” adaptive sports competition.

The competitions will include wheelchair basketball, archery, rowing on exercise machines, and boccia. The city plans to spend 4.5 million hryvnias on training participants for the international rowing project and 3.927 million hryvnias on hosting the “On the Wave 3.0” competition.

The City Council’s Finance Department reported that, following the program’s approval, they will consider allocating funds for the implementation of the planned activities.

Андрій Колісніченко