With the participation of Igor Boiko, Deputy Head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, a regular video conference was held on the development of sports in the Donetsk region.
The meeting was attended by heads of physical culture and sports management bodies of local councils, district state administrations, military administrations, as well as regional and local physical culture and sports organizations.
"It is important to take stock of the work done over the past year and set priorities for the next one. Despite all the difficulties of wartime, Donetsk region retains its strong sporting potential, and the region's residents continue to have access to regular physical activity. The Donetsk Regional State Administration recognizes the importance of sport as a factor that improves the physical and emotional well-being of citizens and continues to support athletes and coaches on their way to new victories for the glory of Ukraine," said Ihor Boiko.
Vladimir Mytsyk, head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, noted that thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the support of the Donetsk region's leadership, state programs in this area continue to be implemented during the war in the region, aimed at the development of both mass sports and high-performance sports.
Thus, during 2025, 175 regional competitions have already been held outside Donetsk region, athletes from the region have won 514 awards at 258 international competitions and 1,955 medals at 529 all-Ukrainian tournaments.
Local physical culture and sports officials briefly reported on the work done and outlined plans for the future. Key topics included the organisation of training and coaching, the holding of physical education, health and sports events for IDPs from Donetsk region who are outside the region, staffing and structure, financing of the sector, support for leading athletes and coaches, as well as current problems and possible ways to solve them.
The electronic register of sports organizations of all forms of ownership, introduced in March this year and put into commercial operation in September, includes open data on sections, groups, departments, and services provided. Currently, data on 159 organizations from Donetsk region have been entered into this register, and the relevant work continues. At the initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, a function for submitting annual state statistical reports has been implemented in the register.
As part of the Active Parks – Locations of a Healthy Ukraine project, which is supervised by the Donetsk Regional Center for Physical Health of the Population "Sport for All," coordinators, with the participation of more than 12,000 people, have conducted 986 activities since April: morning exercises, yoga, fitness, functional training, sports relays, and games for people of all ages, etc.
In 2026, there will be no state subsidies for the implementation of the Active Parks project, but activities in this area will continue in new forms.
The national project Side by Side All-Ukrainian School Leagues is a powerful impetus for attracting schoolchildren to sports. In the 2025-2026 academic year, competitions in 13 sports are planned within its framework: volleyball, basketball, mass football, cheerleading, orienteering, rugby-5, handball, athletics, chess, 3x3 basketball, mini handball, biathlon, and table tennis. From the Donetsk region, 250 teams from 135 general secondary education institutions have registered to participate in the new season. At the beginning of 2026, the city stage of these competitions is expected to be held.
For displaced persons from Donetsk region, various active leisure activities are organized in humanitarian hubs throughout the country, ranging from training and challenges to sports tournaments. Special attention is paid to war veterans and combatants who are undergoing rehabilitation through physical education and sports.
A public discussion of the draft Law of Ukraine "On Sport" took place during the video conference. Based on its results, the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Donetsk Regional State Administration will compile a list of proposals to be submitted to the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine for consideration.