Andrea Abodi, Minister of Sports and Youth of the Italian Republic, paid an official visit to Lviv accompanied by Carlo Formosa, the Italian Ambassador to Ukraine, during which he signed a joint action plan for 2026–2027 in the fields of youth and sports with his Ukrainian counterpart Matviy Bedny.
“ “I am here to express, on behalf of the entire government, my respect and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who are suffering from an unjustified aggressive war that has been bringing death and destruction for four years now; a people to whom we are providing and will continue to provide support,” Abodi stated.
According to him, the contribution to Ukraine’s recovery must begin with the youth.
“The contribution to a new Ukraine must begin with the youth—the present and future of the country, which is unwaveringly focused on recovery. Youth policy, financial transparency in sports, training of specialists and research, as well as the restoration of sports infrastructure will be the first concrete steps in implementing the action plan,” the minister emphasized.
During the visit, both ministers paid tribute to the fallen defenders of Ukraine at the Heroes’ Memorial.
In addition, the Casa Italia cultural and sports center was opened in Lviv—a space created with the assistance of the Italian Association of Culture and Sport (AiCS) to support children orphaned by the war by engaging them in physical activity and creativity.
The Italian and Ukrainian delegations also met with players from the “Pokrova AMP” amputee soccer club, emphasizing the importance of veteran sports as a tool for physical and psychosocial rehabilitation.
“Minister Abodi’s visit clearly confirms that Italy stands with Ukraine: this is a partnership that strengthens new generations and brings Ukraine closer to European standards, where sport is the foundation of a strong and healthy nation,” Ambassador Formosa concluded.
The Ukrainian team won 23 medals (5 gold, 8 silver, and 10 bronze) and took 10th place in the overall standings at the 2025 European Youth Olympic Festival, which took place in Skopje (North Macedonia).
“This is Ukraine’s second most successful performance in the history of its participation in the Festivals since 1993! The blue and yellow team won more medals only in 2019, when it won 25 awards (8 gold, 7 silver, and 10 bronze),” the National Olympic Committee reported on its Telegram channel on Sunday.
A total of 78 young athletes in 12 sports represented Ukraine at the EYOF 2025. “This year, Ukrainians climbed the podium in seven sports. Judo: 2 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze. Swimming: 2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze. Athletics: 1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze. Taekwondo: 2 silver, 1 bronze. Shooting: 1 silver, 1 bronze. Artistic gymnastics: 1 silver, 1 bronze. Table tennis: 1 bronze,” the report said.
Ukrainian athlete Mykhailo Kokhan won a silver medal in the hammer throw final at the 2024 Diamond League in Silesia, Suspilne. Sport” on Sunday.
In Silesia, Kokhan, a bronze medalist at the Paris Games, competed against reigning world champion and 2024 Olympic champion Ethan Katzberg of Canada and 2024 Olympic silver medalist Benze Galas of Hungary.
Mykhailo Kokhan failed to surpass Katzberg’s result (80.03 meters), throwing the projectile 79.85 meters and winning the silver medal. “Wojciech Nowicki won the bronze medal, beating Benze Galas for the second best result, both athletes showed the same result (76.05 meters).
1. Ethan Katzberg (Canada) – 80.03 meters
2. Mykhailo Kokhan (Ukraine) – 79.85 meters
3. Wojciech Nowicki (Poland) – 76.05 m
Ukraine has won 12 medals at the 2024 Olympic Games.
“Ukraine won gold: Oleksandr Khyzhnyak (boxing up to 80 kg); Yaroslava Maguchikh (high jump); Olga Harlan, Alina Komashchuk, Olena Kravatska and Yulia Bakastova (team sabre).
The following won silver medals: Parviz Nasibov (Greco-Roman wrestling up to 67 kg); Iryna Kolyadenko (freestyle wrestling up to 62 kg); Lyudmyla Luzan and Anastasiia Rybachok (canoe double sprint, 500 m); Ilya Kovtun (parallel bars); Serhii Kulish (rifle shooting from 50 m from three positions).
The bronze medalists were: Zhan Beleniuk (Greco-Roman wrestling up to 87 kg); Mykhailo Kokhan (hammer throw); Iryna Gerashchenko (high jump); Olga Harlan (sabre).
As of 15:00, Ukraine ranks 22nd in the medal standings.
The 2024 Olympic Games were held in Paris from July 26 to August 11.
The Ukrainian Squash Federation has announced the successful development and implementation of a free training program for children. The launch of a unique project – the Kyiv Sports Children’s and Youth Sports School (CYSS) – was made possible thanks to the cooperation of the FSU and the Sport Life network of clubs.
Squash is not just entertainment. This game fosters discipline in children, teaches them to make decisions on the go and stimulates the development of strategic thinking. The game of squash is dynamic and intense at the same time, helping the child to develop harmoniously. It is not surprising that squash has gained such popularity in educational institutions. The game is included in the curricula of the most prestigious American universities, such as Harvard and Yale. This demonstrates the high appreciation of the effectiveness and benefits of this sport for the development of young people.
Classes for young athletes will be held in the two largest squash centers of the Sport Life club network – in Poznyaki and Teremky. Here children will have the opportunity to learn the game under the guidance of qualified coaches.
The training schedule is very convenient – on weekdays from 15:00 to 17:00. The difference in age groups is taken into account, so training is organized for children aged 6-8 and 9-11.
“The Ukrainian Squash Federation in cooperation with the Sport Life network of clubs is making a huge step towards popularizing this sport among young people. Let’s open up new horizons for our children together, teaching them a healthy lifestyle, discipline and mutual assistance through the game of squash,” said Dmytro Shcherbakov, President of the Ukrainian Squash Federation,
In his turn, Maxim Urakin, Vice President of the FSU, noted that the development of junior squash shows that this sport has good prospects for development in Ukraine.
“Last year, our juniors demonstrated excellent results at international competitions and proved that the Ukrainian squash school is one of the strongest in Europe, winning bronze at the continental championship. The opening of new training grounds for children will only strengthen this trend,” emphasized Urakin.
The program of the Kyiv Sports School provides free training for children, but the number of places is limited, so we advise you not to delay the registration and provide your child with quality and productive leisure.
Squash is a sport with a ball and a racket indoors. The game is played with special rackets on a court surrounded by walls on four sides. In 2003, Forbes magazine recognized squash as one of the healthiest sports in terms of injury rates. In addition, squash is considered the most energy-consuming sport in the world in terms of calories burned per unit of time. More than 20 million people play squash in the world.
The Ukrainian squash community is preparing for the biggest event of the year. On August 19-20, 2023, the charity squash tournament Zenit Ukraine Open 2023 will take place at the SPORT LIFE fitness center in Kyiv, 8 Samaila Kishky Street. The competition will last two days and will start at 09.00 on August 19.
This tournament is the most famous and largest international squash competition in the history of independent Ukraine. Its scale is evidenced not only by the number of participants and countries represented, but also by the large number of organizations that have joined the preparation and holding of the tournament.
The competition will be held in six categories: for men, these are categories A, B, C, D, and for women, A and B. Among the tournament participants are players from France, the United States, Moldova, Turkey and many Ukrainian cities: Kyiv, Lviv, Kherson, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, and Odesa.
The events will culminate in an award ceremony to be held on August 20 at 17.00 at the BRUGGE restaurant.
“Squash is actively gaining popularity in Ukraine even in this difficult time. And this is primarily the merit of our youth. Last year, 6 of our juniors entered the top 10 world squash rankings. This is an indicator that we are moving in the right direction. Such tournaments as the Zenit Ukraine Open only contribute to the popularization and development of this sport in Ukraine,” said Maxim Urakin, co-organizer of the tournament.
This approach is also supported by the President of the Ukrainian Squash Federation Dmytro Shcherbakov.
“The development of youth and junior squash is our future. But besides this, we have to take care of our present. The organization of such events demonstrates that despite all the hardships, Ukrainian sport, and squash in particular, continues to develop,” said Dmytro Shcherbakov.
Organizational support for the tournament is provided by:
The main fitness partner is the national network of fitness clubs “Sport Life”;
The main organizer is the NGO Squash Federation of Ukraine;
The main media partner is Interfax Ukraine;
The official sponsor of the tournament is Experts Club.
Participants and winners will receive a number of gifts from Sport Life, REIMA, and special partners: ADONIS, UKRSADVINPROM, KRAINA, VILLA TINTA, TERMOPUB, FAVOR Hotel, Tecnifibre and BRUGGE Restaurant.
The tournament will be held with a charitable mission to help the Armed Forces.
All supporters and fans of squash are invited to this great sporting event. We hope to see you at the championship and support our athletes together!
DMITRY_SHCHERBAKOV, SPORT, SQUASH, TOURNAMENT, ZENIT_UKRAINE_OPEN
