Mykolaiv joined the “Way of Champions” project to create sports classes in educational institutions
In the front-line cities of Ukraine, which are experiencing the most acute phases of the war, life does not just continue, but transforms, adapts, and at the same time tries to preserve the future for the next generation. In the conditions of daily challenges, the restoration of education, safety and psycho-emotional stability of children acquires special importance. In Mykolaiv, one of these cities, the local authorities, together with the central authorities, are launching initiatives that have a long-term effect. One of them was the creation of sports classes within the state project “The Way of Champions”. Its implementation is designed to support children in their desire to play sports, as well as to ensure a balance between the educational process and training, which is extremely important for the formation of strong, hardened youth. However, it is not known whether the issue of ensuring the safety of children is being resolved.
The “Champion’s Way” project: goals and approach
A memorandum of cooperation between the city council, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the National Olympic Committee was concluded in Mykolaiv. The document envisages the introduction and development of sports classes in the city’s schools within the framework of the “Way of Champions” project. This is stated in messages Mykolayiv City Council.
As the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Oleksiy Nikitenko explained, the initiative is aimed at creating conditions in which schoolchildren can harmoniously combine studies and sports training. It is not about entertainment or an elective, but a full educational environment in which sports are integrated into the schedule in the same way as traditional school subjects. Thanks to this, children will be able to prepare for a professional sports career without harming the educational process.
The idea arose within the broader state policy of promoting a healthy lifestyle, countering the demographic crisis, developing sports in the regions and involving children in active leisure as one of the important safeguards against the destructive impact of war.
Mykolaiv: first experience and local context
Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych said that Mykolaiv readily joined the project. According to him, the city has long overdue the need to create special conditions for children who are seriously involved in sports, but until now had to sacrifice education for training or vice versa. Now, with the advent of sports classes, students will be able to get a holistic educational experience without losing in any of the areas.
The first pilot class has already been opened on the basis of gymnasium No. 47. There are currently 28 children who study volleyball and wrestling in depth. The initiators emphasize: this is only the first step. According to the secretary of the city council, Dmytro Falk, there are plans to expand the types of sports presented in classes. In particular, it is about basketball, jumping on a trampoline, diving, swimming and other disciplines.
In the city, which is still in the zone of increased risk due to its proximity to the front line, this initiative also carries a powerful social burden. In this context, sport becomes a tool for physical development, a form of psychological adaptation, and a way to overcome the trauma of war and restore confidence in the future.
Mykolayiv authorities emphasize that such classes are a support for children who seek to develop in difficult circumstances. This is especially important for families who stayed in the city or returned after evacuation.
State support and plans for the future
In Mykolaiv, they hope for further state support for the initiative. It is not only about methodical assistance or coordination of educational programs, but also about the material and technical base: renovation of sports halls, provision of equipment, improvement of qualifications of trainers and teachers. Without an integrated approach, the project will not be able to scale, so the dialogue with the central authorities continues.
The city’s participation in the “Way of Champions” project opens up opportunities for systematic support of student-athletes, taking into account the specifics of the region, educational realities and community resources. Pilot examples of implementation show how the educational process can be organized so that it does not interfere with training, and vice versa – how sports can be integrated into school life without losing the academic component. Further development of the initiative will depend on support from the state, availability of resources and readiness of educational institutions to adapt to new formats.
However, despite the implementation of the project, the statements of the authorities do not mention how it is planned to ensure the safety of children during training in the front-line city. This question remains open.
