Kharkiv Hosts Qualifying Stage of National Adaptive Tennis Tournament for Veterans and Military Personnel

Kharkiv hosted a qualifying tournament in adaptive tennis for veterans and military personnel as part of the “Pivdennyi Set” project. The event was organized by the U+ System Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center together with its strategic partner, Pivdennyi Bank, and the “Vilni Voiny” NGO.

Twenty defenders took part in the tournament, most of whom had never held a tennis racket before the event. That is why all 20 military personnel and veterans participated in a three-day training camp held from July 20 to 22, bringing together participants from Kharkiv and neighboring regions.

Over the course of three days, the veterans were introduced to adaptive tennis, trained under the guidance of experienced coaches, and prepared for the competition. In addition to the sports program, the participants took part in various recreational activities, including swimming, paddleboarding, pétanque, and group leisure activities. These experiences helped foster an atmosphere of mutual support and team spirit.

For some participants, the camp was especially meaningful because it gave them an opportunity to reunite with fellow service members with whom they had previously served.

“For us, this project is about much more than a sports competition. It is an opportunity to help veterans discover new possibilities, find like-minded people, and return to an active lifestyle through sport, while reminding them once again that they are not alone in their experiences. We see how participants become true friends within just a few days, and that is the greatest value of the project,” said Oleksandra Mostepan, Head of U+ System.

The highlight of the program was the qualifying tournament, during which participants demonstrated their athletic skills, endurance, and team spirit. Following the competition, the following pairs earned the right to represent Kharkiv in the final of the national tournament:

1st place — Dmytro Sumin and Yurii Korsunov
2nd place — Andrii Batulin and Oleksandr Nesterov

“For Pivdennyi Bank, it is important to support initiatives that contribute to the development of the veteran community and create opportunities for a return to active life. We believe adaptive sport is an important part of this process, as it helps not only restore physical fitness but also find new goals, motivation, and support from like-minded people,” representatives of Pivdennyi Bank said.

It is worth noting that qualifying adaptive tennis tournaments as part of the “Pivdennyi Set” project have already taken place in Kyiv and Kharkiv. Training camps will next be held in Odesa and Lviv, while in the autumn, participants from all four cities will meet in Odesa for the final.