Mykolaiv Sports College Reopens for 80% of Students After Shelling Damage

The Mykolaiv Sports College was severely damaged by shelling in 2022, which led to a switch to online learning. Thanks to the support of international partners, the institution has been restored, and currently 80% of students have returned to full-time education.

This was reported by the Rubric publication.

During its development, Mykolaiv Sports College has trained many champions who have glorified Ukraine at international competitions. However, 2022 became a turning point for the institution: due to Russian shelling, the buildings were damaged, and the training had to be transferred to an online format.

Over the decades, the college has trained many world-class athletes. It was here that fencing stars Olga Harlan and Olena Khomrova and rowing star Serhiy Belouschenko began their careers. The coaches of the institution, like their students, continued to prepare for sporting heights until the first missile strikes damaged the educational building in 2022.

The first hit was directly to the dormitory of the institution. Then there was a direct hit to the roof of the academic building. Windows were smashed and doors were destroyed," recalled Olena Petrukhina, the director of the institution.

"The college staff cleared the rubble and replaced the broken windows on their own, trying to restore the premises. However, after the next shelling, even the temporary fortifications failed: the ceiling collapsed and a fire broke out in the assembly hall.

PHOTOS: Rubric

The only way out was distance learning. The athletes joined the classes online, but it was difficult to conduct full training.

According to Anatoliy Shlykar, the school's coach, every move counts in fencing. And when you give instructions through a monitor screen and can't correct mistakes, it's a waste of time. Many technical skills had to be relearned.

Later, in September 2023, the college began to return to full-time education. This became possible thanks to international partners who funded the reconstruction of the institution.

In July 2024, within the framework of the United Nations Development Program project "EU4UASchools: Build Back Better" project, with the financial support of the European Union, a sports college in Mykolaiv was rebuilt, which had been damaged by the aggression of Russian troops.

PHOTOS: Rubric

The college has renovated classrooms and corridors, repaired the facade of the building, a gym, modernized a shelter for 400 people, accommodated more than 400 people, and provided the institution with new equipment. As of today, 80% of the students have returned to full-time education.

By the end of 2024, athletes from Mykolaiv region won 60 medals of various types at world, European and other international championships and cups. In 2025, the region plans to increase the number of tournaments and attract more young people to sports achievements.

In 2025, the city has allocated UAH 189 million from the budget for sports development. It is planned to build shelters in sports facilities, reconstruct and create a modern sports town. These funds contribute to the development of sports infrastructure, holding competitions and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Анна Бальчінос