The Ukrainian team of golfers with disabilities took part in the Bavarian International Golf Championship for People with Disabilities for the first time. The championship, which brought together 67 participants from 11 countries, was held last week at the Worthsee Golf Club in Munich, Germany. This is stated in the video of the ICTV channel Fakty ICTV, reports UNN.
The team included 8 amputees and civilians who suffered from the consequences of the war: Oleksandr Batalov, Valentyn Vodolazkyi, Konstantin Kartavtsev, Konstantin Kashula, Maksym Maksymiv, Anatoliy Melnychenko, Vyacheslav Tsyukh, and David Jung.
The golfers have been training for more than a year at golf clubs in Ukraine, namely in Kozyn (Kyiv region) and Eden (Lviv region).
Following the results of two rounds of the championship, the Ukrainians represented their country with dignity. According to the results of the final individual standings, Konstantin Kartavtsev was ranked among the top 10 players of the championship.
"This is just incredible! This is the first such serious experience. In three days, 54 holes, such a long distance covered, 30-35 kilometers, 42,000 steps on prostheses. There were some falls, but I got up and went on to the end," Kashula Konstantin commented on his first experience in the international championship.
Vitaliy Khomutynnik, President of the Ukrainian Golf Federation, Roman Buglak, Consul of Ukraine in Munich, Ukrainian women and children who are temporarily staying in Munich, came to support the golfers and thank them for their heroism.
"Rehabilitation of people with disabilities through their involvement in golf is one of the priorities of the Ukrainian Golf Federation. Today we have the first results when the national team has been formed and is represented at international competitions for the first time. We are proud of our heroes and their results," said Vitaliy Khomutynnik, President of the Ukrainian Golf Federation, and presented the boys with sets of golf accessories.
As a reminder, the Ukrainian Golf Federation has been implementing a strategic plan for the development of inclusive golf since 2020. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, work on the development of rehabilitation for military veterans has been intensified, including with the help of international partners. Sports and cultural diplomacy play an important role in supporting Ukraine during the war, helping to strengthen international relations and raise awareness of our fight for freedom.