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Second League of the Mighty Spring Cup Showcases Rising Spirit of Adaptive Sports

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Photo of Liubava Petriv
Liubava Petriv
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Second League of the Mighty Spring Cup Showcases Rising Spirit of Adaptive Sports
Athletes playing during amputee football tournament held in Kyiv. (Source: Dan Balashov)

The second national amputee football tournament, the Spring Cup of the “League of the Mighty” — concluded in Kyiv on May 11, bringing together players from across Ukraine.

The event, hosted at the Viktor Bannikov Training Complex, is part of the acclaimed initiative, which was recently honored at the UEFA FootbALL Awards 2025.

The tournament served as a powerful example of the unifying force of sport and a significant step in the development of inclusive football in Ukraine. With determination, teamwork, and resilience on full display, the event reaffirmed that passion for the game transcends physical barriers.

The event brought together eight teams from across the country—including representatives from Kyiv, Lviv, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Lutsk, highlighting the growing momentum of inclusive sports in the country.

For the first time, the tournament was held in two divisions, the Super League and the First League, giving both experienced and emerging teams an opportunity to compete.

Players during amputee football tournament held in Kyiv. (Source: Dan Balashov)
Players during amputee football tournament held in Kyiv. (Source: Dan Balashov)
A game of amputee football during tournament held in Kyiv. (Source: Dan Balashov)
A game of amputee football during tournament held in Kyiv. (Source: Dan Balashov)

Participating Teams

First League:

  • Vinnytsia AMP (Vinnytsia);

  • Dnipro-Chest / Nezlamni (Dnipro–Kharkiv) – Finalists;

  • Khrestonosci (Lutsk) – First League Winners.

Khrestonostsi (“The Crusaders”) from Lutsk, winners in the First League. (Source: Dan Balashov)
Khrestonostsi (“The Crusaders”) from Lutsk, winners in the First League. (Source: Dan Balashov)

Super League:

  • Burevii (Kyiv region);

  • MSC Dnipro (Cherkasy);

  • Pokrova AMP-2 (Lviv);

  • Shakhtar Stalevi (Donetsk) – Finalists;

  • Pokrova AMP (Lviv) – Super League Winners.

Super League Winners, Pokrova Lviv. (Source: Dan Balashov)
Super League Winners, Pokrova Lviv. (Source: Dan Balashov)

Pokrova AMP (Lviv) claimed victory in the Super League, while Crusaders from Lutsk won the First League title.

The awards ceremony was attended by notable guests, including Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Veterans Affairs Ruslan Prykhodko, UAF General Secretary Ihor Hryshchenko, Carlsberg Ukraine CEO Oleh Khaidakin, Oschadbank Marketing Director Serhii Hrabchak, and Mastercard Regional Marketing Director Oleksandra Hubar. Officials congratulated the winners, presented awards, and provided gifts.

The awards ceremony at the League of the Mighty. (Source: Dan Balashov)
The awards ceremony at the League of the Mighty. (Source: Dan Balashov)

An individual award — the “Lion of the Cup” — for top scorer went to Dmytro Shchehelskyi of Pokrova AMP. The Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) introduced this new recognition in partnership with the Lvivske brand. Oleh Khaidakin personally presented the award.

Amputee football is a sport designed for individuals with limb amputations or congenital limb differences. The game follows adapted rules: each team consists of seven players—six outfield players and one goalkeeper. Outfield players must have an amputation or impairment of a lower limb, while goalkeepers must have an impairment or amputation of an upper limb. Outfield players move using forearm crutches without prosthetics, and goalkeepers play without crutches.

Matches consist of two 25-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime break. The playing field is smaller than a standard football pitch, typically 60 by 40 meters. Modified football rules are used, with a focus on player safety. Teams may be men’s, women’s, or mixed. Amputee football is a dynamic and visually compelling sport that promotes inclusion and inspires with its spirit of determination and teamwork.

Top goalscorer and winner of the “Lion of the Cup” award Oleh Khaidakin. (Source: Dan Balashov)
Top goalscorer and winner of the “Lion of the Cup” award Oleh Khaidakin. (Source: Dan Balashov)

UAF President Andriy Shevchenko said, “Football has a unique power to aid rehabilitation and recovery. Ukraine is home to over 100,000 people with limb amputations, many of whom are soldiers injured while defending our country,” adding, “This first UAF amputee football tournament demonstrates that nothing is impossible when there is determination and a supportive team.”

Previously, it was reported that less than a year after its launch, the League of The Mighty, a Ukrainian initiative, has won the prestigious UEFA FootbALL Awards 2025 in the National Association category.

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