Kyiv, 14 February 2023 – The Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine has launched registration for selection for the Invictus Games 2023 national team on the e-Veteran website. Veterans of the war in Ukraine who have been injured can apply to participate in the international games, which will be held from September 9 to 16 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The tool for submitting applications on the e-Veteran portal was created with the technical support of the “Digital, inclusive, accessible: support for the digitalization of public services in Ukraine” project (DIA Support project), which is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine with funding from Sweden, and IREX.

Yuliia Laputina, Minister for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, noted that the process of training and the participation of injured Ukrainian defenders in international sports competitions is itself an effective means of psychological rehabilitation – as well as a powerful tool for the country's diplomacy.

“The participation of the Ukrainian national team in the Invictus Games is an invaluable experience for the development of a system of sports rehabilitation for people wounded in war, in particular veterans, on which the Ministry of Veterans Affairs is working,” Yulia Laputina emphasized. “In addition, in the international arena, veteran sports competitions are a powerful tool for our country's diplomacy. They demonstrate to the world not only the strength and power of Ukrainians, but also help convey to our brothers and sisters from other countries and their governments true information about Russia’s invasion, and about how much Ukraine needs their support.”

Among others, war veterans and persons released from military service, the civil defence service, or service in law enforcement agencies who have suffered injuries, wounds or illnesses during or as a result of their official duties in areas where there have been hostilities can take part in the selection event.

Selection for the national team will take place in April in Lviv Oblast. A team of 24 athletes will represent Ukraine at the games, competing in sports such as swimming, running, shot put, archery and wheelchair basketball.

Olena Yanovska has been appointed as the head coach of the national team. Yanovska is a track and field athlete, an international master of sports, and a participant in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. She was the track and field coach of the Ukrainian national team at the 2022 Invictus Games, and the head coach of the Ukrainian national team at the 2022 Warrior Games.

Christophoros Politis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, stressed that the UNDP is a long-term partner of the Ukrainian government in the digitalization of public services, and is extremely happy to support the initiative of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs to strengthen the platform that allows veterans to apply to participate in sports competitions.

“The government of Ukraine is making significant efforts to provide adequate support for the rehabilitation and reintegration of veterans returning to civilian life, and sports is one of the important components on this path,” Christophoros Politis said. “It is important for UNDP to share its technical expertise and help create an online mechanism for the quick and convenient submission of applications, as this will simplify the process for all parties – both those who conduct the selection and, above all, for veterans, for whom participation in these competitions will be a significant part of their rehabilitation.”

For more information, call 063 230 23 25 or e-mail: sportveteran@mva.gov.ua.

Media inquiries

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Communications Team Leader, yuliia.samus@undp.org