Around 140 children, athletes and sportswomen from Ukraine, have temporarily found a second home in Cyprus where they can continue to play sports and train, as part of the “Olympic Dream” sports program, with the support of KEPAKY – Andreas Sofokleous Foundation and the Ukrainian Charitable Foundation “The future for children”.
At a program presentation event, in Limassol, the wife of the President of the Republic, Filippa Karsera, sent a message of solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people, with Ukrainian Ambassador Ruslan Nimchinsky expressing his deep gratitude to our country.
Addressing the children, who represent sports such as football, athletics, gymnastics, judo, fencing and Taekwondo, Ms Carcera said that everyone is proud of them, as they show us strength and determination. them in these difficult times for their country.
“You demonstrate the resilience of all the Ukrainian people and send messages every day with your strength, messages of solidarity and peace, and you are a true example of what the Olympic values stand for,” he added.
He also noted that, since the beginning of the war, the Republic of Cyprus expressed in many ways its solidarity with the government and people of Ukraine and joined its voice with all those who respect international law.
At the same time, he reminded that Cyprus is also a victim of an illegal invasion and an ongoing occupation by Turkey and pointed out that Cypriots know firsthand the consequences and tragedy that an invasion and occupation leaves behind.
Mrs. Karsera mentioned that especially children are psychologically vulnerable to the experience of a war, a topic that, as she noted, she discussed yesterday with the Ukrainian Ambassador and expressed her readiness to support actions to address the issue.
Thanking the KEPAKY and “The future for children” charities, he said that sport unites, creates resilience and helps to overcome any obstacle, while expressing confidence in the success of the program, which offers the children of Ukraine, “a safe haven, a home away from home, a place to play, to train, to train.”
Expressing his country’s deep gratitude, the Ukrainian Ambassador, Ruslan Nimchinsky, said, for his part, that Cyprus demonstrated a leadership attitude, from the first day of the Russian invasion, supporting Ukraine.
“We are very happy to see how happy the Ukrainians are who have received temporary protection in your country and we will continue to work, in cooperation with the Cypriot Government, to make them even happier and safer,” he added.
He also added that since the first day of Russia’s invasion, he heard from his Cypriot friends how much they feel the pain of the Ukrainian people, as they too experienced an invasion and this, he indicated, is something that brings the two peoples closer .
He also thanked the two institutions for their contribution and expressed the hope that more children from Ukraine will find a temporary shelter in Cyprus.
On behalf of KEPAKY, Christina Sofokleous, stated that the aim of the program is to give the children affected by the war the opportunity to continue training and dream for a better future.
As he said, in collaboration with “The future for children”, and with the support of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Sports of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Embassy, the CMO and the KOP, it is organized from April 12 to May 23, in Larnaca and Limassol , sports training camp for 143 children from Irpin.
A similar program, he indicated, was organized last January with Ukrainian sportsmen and women, who were hosted for a month in Cyprus and continued their training.
According to Ms. Sophokleous, the foundation, in collaboration with “The future for children”, are planning a series of other charity events in Ukraine, Cyprus and other countries, with the aim of raising money for the reconstruction of the sports facilities destroyed by bombings in Irpin.
During the event, a touching video was shown, where the children who are now in Cyprus, are shown training in the ruins of their sports facilities.