Publication date:
Publication from:
On May 10 and 11, 2025, Kyiv hosted the first National Wheelchair Basketball Championship for veterans and service members. The event, organised by the “Come Back Alive” Fund and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, with support from ITU Member EPAM Ukraine, brought together 66 participants from various regions of Ukraine and hundreds of spectators.
Wheelchair basketball is one of the most popular adaptive sports among veterans. However, its development in Ukraine is still hindered, despite significant growth potential. Key conditions for its expansion include not only the availability of training facilities and quality equipment but, above all, the spread of information and the collaboration of local communities, the state, and veteran organisations. Holding regular events at a high standard will make adaptive sports visible and significant for the target audience.
The main goal of the event was to raise public awareness of adaptive sports as an effective tool for the physical and psychological rehabilitation of veterans.
The competition featured eight teams with varying levels of skill. On the first day of the event, May 10, teams played knockout matches. The following day, May 11, saw the playoffs and final games. Attendees could also familiarise themselves with various types of adaptive sports, including archery, rowing, table tennis, and others.
Earlier, EPAM Ukraine, together with the “Come Back Alive” foundation, purchased ten professional sports wheelchairs. These were made abroad according to the technical specifications provided by the foundation’s veteran department. The wheelchairs feature adjustable seat depth, back support, and are adapted to different body types, heights, and weights. Their design can withstand heavy loads while remaining comfortable during both training and competitions.
This event was an important step in the development of the inclusive sports movement in Ukraine and a sign of the gradual reduction of barriers for veterans and people with disabilities.
EPAM Ukraine has long supported veterans through educational projects, career initiatives, and sports rehabilitation. Adaptive sports are another important direction that helps open new opportunities for veterans’ rehabilitation.
We understand the value of the adaptation period for our defenders, as they are also part of our team. A veteran’s return to civilian life can take many forms — through returning to work, education, or retraining, as well as through adaptive sports. At EPAM, we are involved in all of these areas, and we plan to expand them to regional and community levels,
— said Dmytro Yakymets, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at EPAM Ukraine.
The next competition, a sitting volleyball tournament, has already been announced. Registration for the sports camp and tournament is now open via the provided link.
This initiative is not just a sporting event, but a significant step towards an inclusive society, made possible through the joint efforts of the state, business, and the public sector.
“Business Without Barriers” is a community of companies united around the first lady Olena Zelenska’s initiative “Without Barriers,” aimed at creating equal opportunities for all Ukrainians.
