Deputy Heads of the Donetsk Regional State Administration Ihor Boiko and Oleksandr Shevchenko took part in an online meeting of the Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of physical education and wellness events and competitions of the “Side by Side All-Ukrainian School Leagues” among students of general secondary education institutions during the 2025–2026 academic year.
During the meeting, participants discussed the organization and conduct of the regional stage of the “Side by Side All-Ukrainian School Leagues” competitions, arrangements for transporting children from communities to participate in the regional stage, as well as the implementation of the “Carpathian Shift” project.
The meeting was attended by members of the Organizing Committee, deputy heads of military administrations of settlements in Donetsk region responsible for education, physical culture, and sports, heads of education, physical culture, and sports departments of territorial communities, as well as principals of general secondary education institutions.
During the discussion, it was emphasized that despite martial law and forced displacement, Donetsk region continues systematic efforts to ensure that students have opportunities to participate in sports activities and competitions.
Ihor Boiko reported that the competitions will take place in five stages from September 2025 to June 2026. He noted that in the new season, 137 general secondary education institutions from 40 territorial communities of Donetsk region registered to participate — amounting to 256 teams and 1,680 participants, which is almost four times more than in the previous season.
Ihor Boiko also stated that, according to team registrations for the “Side by Side All-Ukrainian School Leagues,” 50 local competitions have already been held in 23 communities of Donetsk region in sports such as chess, table tennis, orienteering, mass football, athletics, cheerleading, basketball, and volleyball.
It was also highlighted that Donetsk region has been participating in the “Side by Side All-Ukrainian School Leagues” for the third consecutive year. Last season, 32 general secondary education institutions from 13 communities were registered from the region — representing 65 teams in seven sports, including basketball, volleyball, handball, orienteering, rugby-5, futsal, and cheerleading.