Favbet Foundation organizes first aid training for athletes in Poltava, Matyukha

Thirty-three representatives of local sports clubs and schools joined the sessions. Among the participants were members of the Poltava Regional Sports Training Center, Youth Sports School named after O. Butovsky, ZOG Youth Sports School Kolos, the National Deaflympic Team of Ukraine, the Poltava Regional Organization of the Spartak Sports Society, and FC Vorskla.

For many, this was a completely new experience. Theoretical knowledge was immediately reinforced with practice. Participants worked out action algorithms in simulated situations: respiratory arrest, critical bleeding, and loss of consciousness. It is precisely in the first minutes that the outcome, whether a life can be saved, depends. Athletes experienced this firsthand.

First aid training in Poltava (Photo: FAST)

Now, Poltava has specialists capable of acting in critical moments, and most importantly, there is a new awareness that sports and safety must go hand in hand. This is the idea consistently promoted by Favbet Foundation together with the foundation’s president, Andriy Matyukha.

"The ability to save a life should be a basic skill for a coach or athlete. That is why we support this program in different cities. Poltava is the next step, and there will be even more to come," Favbet Foundation emphasized.

The initiative goes beyond Poltava

The Poltava training became part of a larger program. Favbet Foundation supports conducting such training across various regions of Ukraine.

In Rivne, classes were held at the regional branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. About twenty participants, including coaches from Invasport, the regional Department of Youth and Sports, the School of Higher Sports Mastery, and Sports for All, learned to act in emergencies and practiced providing aid.

First aid training in Poltava (Photo: FAST)

In Vinnytsia, the training brought together 28 athletes and coaches from the national shooting team. They worked through different emergency scenarios so each participant could experience what it means to make decisions under stress.

In the Chernihiv region, 60 biathlon coaches joined the program. They studied how to handle injuries, bleeding, and other life-threatening conditions.

Hockey representatives also took part. Twenty-four young players of the Sea Wolves club received their first knowledge of first aid. For teenagers, this became the foundation for responsible attitudes toward sports.

Students of the Ivan Piddubny Olympic College gained similar experience. For them, the training was a useful addition to their sports preparation.

Foundation's ambitious plans

The organizers aim to involve around 1,800 participants nationwide by the end of the year.

"A coach has always been the person who shapes character and results. But today, he must also be the one who can provide help in a critical moment. Athlete safety is the basis of sports development. That is why we, together with FAST, are implementing this program," emphasized Favbet Foundation president Andriy Matyukha.

First aid training in Poltava (Photo: FAST)

The foundation was established in 2020. From the very beginning, its mission has been to provide the younger generation with more development opportunities. During this time, the team has supported sports and educational projects, infrastructure, and new programs. Contribution to building a culture of safety in sports has become the next step for the Favbet Foundation.

"I am confident that the future of Ukrainian sports largely depends on the responsibility for the lives and health of those who dedicate themselves to training and competitions. We hear positive feedback about our project, we see that people need such training, and that is why we are moving forward," added Andriy Matyukha.