On 2 May, an exhibition wheelchair basketball match in Lviv brought together veterans, professional athletes, and influencers. This event marked the official launch of a five-day sports camp aimed at the rehabilitation, adaptation, and socialisation of veterans through sport.

The event was organised by the CBA Initiatives Center in collaboration with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine.

Held in the heart of the city at “Na Valakh” Park, the wheelchair basketball match began with a brief training session to introduce participants to the rules of the game. In addition to the match’s main participants — the veterans — spectators were also encouraged to try wheelchair basketball themselves. Among those who joined the game were Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, blogger Maria Pankiv, and Lviv comedians Vadym Dzyunko, Oleh Luzanov, and Bohdan Vakhnych.

“What makes this game unique is that anyone can play alongside the veterans and feel weak compared to them. Because the veterans here are truly dominating,” shared Vladyslav Heraskevich after the match.

During the two-hour match, the “Sadovi Hnomy” and “Karpaty” teams delivered a high-energy, competitive performance, demonstrating a drive for victory. At the same time, dozens of fans created an incredible atmosphere of excitement and support.

The next stage of HART 2026 is a specialised five-day sports camp held in the Lviv region.  The programme is tailored for male and female veterans dealing with visible and invisible injuries or illnesses sustained while defending their homeland. It includes adaptive training sessions led by specialists, work with physiotherapists, psychological support, as well as cultural and educational activities.

“The HART project is about building an effective system to help our defenders return to civilian life through sport,” said Ihor Krytsak, Head of the HART Project at the CBA Initiative Centre. “Adaptive sports are among the most effective tools for both physical and psychological recovery. Here, veterans experience camaraderie, the thrill of competition, and — most importantly — the support of their community. Today, veterans’ policy is, above all, about dignity and creating new opportunities for everyone who has defended Ukraine.” 

Beyond wheelchair basketball, camp participants will be able to try other sports, including archery, indoor rowing, and table tennis.

The camp will conclude with a two-day All-Ukrainian wheelchair basketball competition, featuring experienced players from across the country. To ensure fair competition, this tournament will include two separate brackets  —  one for beginners and one for experienced teams. Over 100 participants are expected to take part.

The sports camp and wheelchair basketball competition will help veterans regain confidence in their abilities and prove to themselves that they can lead active lives again. For most participants, this is the first step towards adaptive sport as a path to recovery and self-fulfilment.

More photos from the event below:

The event is held under the patronage of the Lviv Regional Military Administration. It is organised by the CBA Initiatives Center  in collaboration with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, with support from the MATRA Programme of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine. The general partner of the event is EPAM.