🇺🇦🏛️ Editorial Team of www.ndu.kr.ua reports on the outcomes of the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine held on 27 February 2026. The central item on the agenda was the Government Q&A Hour, dedicated to the state of implementation of national policy in the field of physical culture and sports under martial law.
The session featured participation from Matviy Bidnyi, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine. Special attention was given to the voices of Ukrainian Olympic athletes and the symbolic significance of their positions for strengthening international support for Ukraine.
Context: Sports as an Element of National Resilience
During the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation, the sports sector has suffered significant losses:
830 sports facilities were destroyed or damaged, including 24 Olympic training bases;
At least 663 mobilised athletes have been killed defending Ukraine;
Over 3,000 athletes joined the Defence Forces of Ukraine;
More than 600 athletes and coaches died due to the war.
These figures are not just statistics. They signal that sports in Ukraine have become a part of national resistance, and sports policy is now an integral element of the state security strategy.
Key Points from the Government Q&A Hour
1. Safety of Sports Infrastructure
The Minister highlighted the creation of a unified register of sports facilities, which contains information on:
Levels of inclusive accessibility;
Availability of shelters;
Current condition of facilities in local communities.
In the context of air threat alerts, this step is of systemic importance, particularly for children’s and youth sports.
2. Community-Based Mass Sports
According to a Ministry survey, only 15% of Ukrainian adults regularly engage in sports, with even lower indicators among children.
Parliament reviewed state programmes to promote physical activity:
“Active Parks and Locations” – development of open sports spaces;
“Side by Side” – Ukrainian School Leagues, with over 900,000 students registered in 12 sports disciplines;
Development of European-style club systems in partnership with local NGOs through the “Active Communities” project.
The strategic goal is a transition from the Soviet-era centralised model to a democratic European system of sports governance.
3. Adaptive and Veteran Sports
A separate priority is the promotion of adaptive sports as a tool for the rehabilitation of war veterans:
144 adaptive sports centres currently operate in Ukraine;
52 sports federations have integrated adaptive elements into their competitions.
This approach aligns with European standards of inclusion and social reintegration of military personnel.
Olympic Signal: Honest Assessment of Results
Ukraine concluded the Winter Olympic Games in Milan without winning any medals. Parliament recognised this as a painful but honest indication of the need for profound reform in the sports governance system.
Despite this, Ukrainian athletes represented the nation with dignity. MP Iryna Borzova emphasised that our athletes spoke to the world in the language of memory and justice, reminding everyone about the ongoing war against Ukraine. A notable highlight was the address by Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Parliament’s podium.
Meaning for Citizens
What these decisions mean for society:
Safe sports spaces for children and youth.
Community development through mass sports.
Systematic support for war veterans.
European integration in the field of sports policy.
The Ministry’s target is for at least 40% of Ukrainian citizens to engage in physical activity twice a week or more.
Editorial Analysis
From the perspective of www.ndu.kr.ua, this session represents not just another parliamentary procedure but a strategic stage in reforming the state’s sports and physical culture policy.
Sports during wartime are:
A tool of psychological resilience;
A component of national security;
A mechanism for international advocacy of Ukraine;
A means of veteran rehabilitation and social integration.
Transitioning to a European club model, institutionalising adaptive sports, and implementing a transparent infrastructure register are steps aligned with EU standards and democratic parliamentary practices.
Expected outcomes:
Updating the regulatory framework for sports management;
Expanding funding for mass physical activity programmes;
Integrating safety and inclusivity standards into state initiatives;
Strengthening parliamentary oversight of sports policy implementation.
The editorial team of www.ndu.kr.ua will continue to inform the public on parliamentary decisions that impact civil society, national recovery, and European integration.
