The Ukrainian Government intends to make every effort to revive hockey as one of the leading sports in Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych told a meeting with State Duma Committee for Sports and Physical Culture Head, and Hockey Federation President Vladislav Tretyak of Russia. The Premier also said the priority in this direction should be given to construction of new sports grounds, and the Government will shortly provide favorable conditions for the purpose.
President Anatoliy Brezvin of the Ukrainian Hockey Federation informed that Ukraine adopted hockey development and promotion program that provides for attracting investors in building ice stadiums and all-purpose sports gardens. The hockey investor at that is allowed to erect hotel or other infrastructure near ice stadium at the land allotted by the state.
He stated as well that the two hockey federations almost reached agreements regarding the Ukrainian Hockey Club of "Sokil" transition form the Open Belarusian Championship to the Highest Hockey League of Russia.
Showing posts with label sport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sport. Show all posts
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
Sport in Ukraine
Since ancient times, Ukrainians were skillful archers, horsemen and wrestlers. In the late XIX century European sports and games were introduced; football and wrestling became the most popular.
Physical exercises have long been an everyday occurrence for Ukrainians. Widely popular were the festive folk games, riding, swimming, running, rowing, and weight-lifting.
Establishment of the sports organizations on the Ukrainian land was started in the second half of the 19th century. These were the yacht-clubs, tennis clubs, athletic and gymnastic associations. Even early in the 20th century, the results of some Ukrainian sportsmen did not yield to those of the European sportsmen. The successful performance of the repeat-winner at international wrestling competitions is Ivan Piddubni, who is well known throughout the world.
Kyiv's famous soccer team "Dynamo" won the European Cup Holder's Cup twice, in 1975 and 1985. Oleg Blokhin and Igor Byelanov were named Europe's best soccer players.
The "Spartak" handball team from Kyiv, led by Senior Coach Ihor Turchyn has won 13 European Champion's Cups. Zinaida Turchyna and Larysa Karlova were named best players in the World and European Championships several times.
The Ukrainian school of gymnastics is recognized the world over. Its representatives Iryna Deriuhina, Oleksandra Tymoshenko, Oksana Skaldina (and others) have won world and European championships. Larysa Latynina has the longest history of records in the Olympic Games: 18 medals, including 9 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze.
Valeriy Borzov, the famous sprinter, won 2 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals at the 20th and 21st Olympic Games.Serhiy Bubka, eight times world champion in the pole vault and Olympic champion, holds 35 world records. He has repeatedly won the Grand Prix world series and been named World's Best Athlete.
Physical exercises have long been an everyday occurrence for Ukrainians. Widely popular were the festive folk games, riding, swimming, running, rowing, and weight-lifting.
Establishment of the sports organizations on the Ukrainian land was started in the second half of the 19th century. These were the yacht-clubs, tennis clubs, athletic and gymnastic associations. Even early in the 20th century, the results of some Ukrainian sportsmen did not yield to those of the European sportsmen. The successful performance of the repeat-winner at international wrestling competitions is Ivan Piddubni, who is well known throughout the world.
Kyiv's famous soccer team "Dynamo" won the European Cup Holder's Cup twice, in 1975 and 1985. Oleg Blokhin and Igor Byelanov were named Europe's best soccer players.
The "Spartak" handball team from Kyiv, led by Senior Coach Ihor Turchyn has won 13 European Champion's Cups. Zinaida Turchyna and Larysa Karlova were named best players in the World and European Championships several times.
The Ukrainian school of gymnastics is recognized the world over. Its representatives Iryna Deriuhina, Oleksandra Tymoshenko, Oksana Skaldina (and others) have won world and European championships. Larysa Latynina has the longest history of records in the Olympic Games: 18 medals, including 9 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze.
Valeriy Borzov, the famous sprinter, won 2 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals at the 20th and 21st Olympic Games.Serhiy Bubka, eight times world champion in the pole vault and Olympic champion, holds 35 world records. He has repeatedly won the Grand Prix world series and been named World's Best Athlete.
Ukraine: Ready for Football?
It was announced this month that Ukraine will co-host the 2012 European football championship with Central European neighbour Poland. The event could act as a boost for Ukraine's economy and industry, and a much-needed impetus for improving Ukraine's transport and tourism infrastructure.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) awarded the bid to Poland and Ukraine against Italy and Croatia-Hungary. Despite current political turmoil and reports from UEFA inspectors over the poor conditions of Ukrainian roads, four Ukrainian cities have been lined up as host cities for 2012.
The ministry of transport and communications indicated that the construction of new highways was of primary concern. The Polish and Ukrainian ministries of transport and regional development are planning an extension of the highway linking Ukraine and Poland with Western Europe at a cost of $1.76bn.
Currently, fans travelling by road from Gdansk in northern Poland to Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, would need at least 22 hours to cover the 2000 km journey on single lane roads, not counting the lengthy wait at the Polish-Ukrainian border. The highway extension is thus vital to ensure smooth travelling and management of the event.
Poland's transport ministry is focusing on the improvement of the so-called old Warsaw highway, which is currently under repair in several areas, with plans for widening into four lanes.
The Western border Lutsk-Riven-Zhytomyr-Kiev highway is also key, as well as a second beltway around Kiev. Ukraine's transport ministry estimates the cost for improving the country's roads at $17bn.
Ukraine's rail network also lags far behind its neighbours in Central Europe in terms of quality, capacity, and most importantly, speed. Local press reports that Germany's railway company Deutsche Bahn posted earnings of 3bn euros with a passenger throughput of 15m during its hosting of the 2006 World Cup finals.
Ukraine's size could mean similarly good news for its railway concern, UkrZaliznysta, but rail travel will have to become a practical, viable option.
Last week, Ukraine's Kryukivskyi carriage-building plant announced it would build new passenger rail cars for the Euro 2012, capable of speeds of up to 200 km per hour. But lagging investment in railways could mean it is too dangerous to use high-speed trains on Ukraine's aging tracks.
Inadequate surface transport could be good news for Ukraine's local air carriers. According to the ministry, improvements and expansions of airports in Donetsk, Kiev, Odessa, Lviv and Dniperpetrovsk are being accelerated to accommodate the games.
Match venues appear to be less challenging, though some require extensive works in the next five years. Donetsk's 50,000-seat stadium should be completed in 2008. Kiev's Olympic stadium will be renovated in time to host the final match, and discussions are underway concerning the construction of another.
Dnieperpetrovsk will complete its new stadium later on this year, and Lviv is considering either an overhaul of the city's current 28,000-seat stadium, or construction a new 32,000-seat stadium.
However, hospitality infrastructure is limited. Ukraine anticipates hosting tens of thousands of fans, journalists and officials. Mykhailo Shparyk, the head of Kiev's municipal economy department told reporters that around 70 new hotels would be necessary in Kiev alone.
Investment in the sector has been limited due to rocketing property prices and the uncertainty of returns in an underdeveloped tourist market. Perhaps Euro 2012 will spur the sector's break out and boost investments, which would lead to sustained growth.
There are serious investors, who are ready to invest up to UAH37bn ($7.7 bn) in the construction of airports, roads, hotels and improving sports infrastructure, Viktor Korzh, Ukraine's sports minister, told local press.
As the government seeks funding for these new developments, some analysts predict further privatisations to help offset costs.
The decision to award the event to Ukraine is indicative of the improving image Ukraine is enjoying internationally. Though Kiev is currently locked in political crisis pitting supporters of the president and prime minister against each other, the two sides seem to be united about Euro 2012.
Ukraine's parliament on Thursday unanimously passed a wide-ranging bill, called by MPs The Euro 2012 Law, setting out an array of legal changes seen as necessary to prepare for the tournament.
Among these are import tax breaks on construction materials and communications equipment, and tighter penalties for copyright infringements, particularly concerning the UEFA label.
There are lessons to be drawn from the German experience of the 2006 World Cup football championship, where the surge of money and investment led to a period of general macroeconomic growth. Ukraine will need to plan early and grow sectors such as tourism to ensure that the effects of Euro 2012 will be sustained.
Source: for-ua.com
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) awarded the bid to Poland and Ukraine against Italy and Croatia-Hungary. Despite current political turmoil and reports from UEFA inspectors over the poor conditions of Ukrainian roads, four Ukrainian cities have been lined up as host cities for 2012.
The ministry of transport and communications indicated that the construction of new highways was of primary concern. The Polish and Ukrainian ministries of transport and regional development are planning an extension of the highway linking Ukraine and Poland with Western Europe at a cost of $1.76bn.
Currently, fans travelling by road from Gdansk in northern Poland to Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, would need at least 22 hours to cover the 2000 km journey on single lane roads, not counting the lengthy wait at the Polish-Ukrainian border. The highway extension is thus vital to ensure smooth travelling and management of the event.
Poland's transport ministry is focusing on the improvement of the so-called old Warsaw highway, which is currently under repair in several areas, with plans for widening into four lanes.
The Western border Lutsk-Riven-Zhytomyr-Kiev highway is also key, as well as a second beltway around Kiev. Ukraine's transport ministry estimates the cost for improving the country's roads at $17bn.
Ukraine's rail network also lags far behind its neighbours in Central Europe in terms of quality, capacity, and most importantly, speed. Local press reports that Germany's railway company Deutsche Bahn posted earnings of 3bn euros with a passenger throughput of 15m during its hosting of the 2006 World Cup finals.
Ukraine's size could mean similarly good news for its railway concern, UkrZaliznysta, but rail travel will have to become a practical, viable option.
Last week, Ukraine's Kryukivskyi carriage-building plant announced it would build new passenger rail cars for the Euro 2012, capable of speeds of up to 200 km per hour. But lagging investment in railways could mean it is too dangerous to use high-speed trains on Ukraine's aging tracks.
Inadequate surface transport could be good news for Ukraine's local air carriers. According to the ministry, improvements and expansions of airports in Donetsk, Kiev, Odessa, Lviv and Dniperpetrovsk are being accelerated to accommodate the games.
Match venues appear to be less challenging, though some require extensive works in the next five years. Donetsk's 50,000-seat stadium should be completed in 2008. Kiev's Olympic stadium will be renovated in time to host the final match, and discussions are underway concerning the construction of another.
Dnieperpetrovsk will complete its new stadium later on this year, and Lviv is considering either an overhaul of the city's current 28,000-seat stadium, or construction a new 32,000-seat stadium.
However, hospitality infrastructure is limited. Ukraine anticipates hosting tens of thousands of fans, journalists and officials. Mykhailo Shparyk, the head of Kiev's municipal economy department told reporters that around 70 new hotels would be necessary in Kiev alone.
Investment in the sector has been limited due to rocketing property prices and the uncertainty of returns in an underdeveloped tourist market. Perhaps Euro 2012 will spur the sector's break out and boost investments, which would lead to sustained growth.
There are serious investors, who are ready to invest up to UAH37bn ($7.7 bn) in the construction of airports, roads, hotels and improving sports infrastructure, Viktor Korzh, Ukraine's sports minister, told local press.
As the government seeks funding for these new developments, some analysts predict further privatisations to help offset costs.
The decision to award the event to Ukraine is indicative of the improving image Ukraine is enjoying internationally. Though Kiev is currently locked in political crisis pitting supporters of the president and prime minister against each other, the two sides seem to be united about Euro 2012.
Ukraine's parliament on Thursday unanimously passed a wide-ranging bill, called by MPs The Euro 2012 Law, setting out an array of legal changes seen as necessary to prepare for the tournament.
Among these are import tax breaks on construction materials and communications equipment, and tighter penalties for copyright infringements, particularly concerning the UEFA label.
There are lessons to be drawn from the German experience of the 2006 World Cup football championship, where the surge of money and investment led to a period of general macroeconomic growth. Ukraine will need to plan early and grow sectors such as tourism to ensure that the effects of Euro 2012 will be sustained.
Source: for-ua.com
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Euro 2012 Address
President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko: I am happy that Ukraine and Poland have been chosen and honored to co-host the European football championship in 2012.
I am grateful to the UEFA Executive Committee for its decision. All citizens of Ukraine are rejoicing at this wonderful event.
We would like to say the words of respect to our worthy rivals, who we esteem as our close and reliable partners. We sincerely and hospitably dedicate Euro 2012 to the united Europe so that the joy of football should belong to all European nations.
Together with our Polish brothers, Ukraine is inviting European football, our guests and friends to our home. We reassure you that our countries are ready to host the championship and will spare no effort to make it unforgettable and full of fair rivalry, joyful emotions, friendship and cordiality.
The Euro 2012 finals will make us better known in the world and help our capabilities grow. I believe that there will be more such victories for the sake of our common European success.
I congratulate Ukraine on this important achievement and hope that our victory will help promote unity, peace and understanding.
I am grateful to the UEFA Executive Committee for its decision. All citizens of Ukraine are rejoicing at this wonderful event.
We would like to say the words of respect to our worthy rivals, who we esteem as our close and reliable partners. We sincerely and hospitably dedicate Euro 2012 to the united Europe so that the joy of football should belong to all European nations.
Together with our Polish brothers, Ukraine is inviting European football, our guests and friends to our home. We reassure you that our countries are ready to host the championship and will spare no effort to make it unforgettable and full of fair rivalry, joyful emotions, friendship and cordiality.
The Euro 2012 finals will make us better known in the world and help our capabilities grow. I believe that there will be more such victories for the sake of our common European success.
I congratulate Ukraine on this important achievement and hope that our victory will help promote unity, peace and understanding.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Ukraine attempts fast start on Euro 2012 prep
Kiev- Ukrainian officials were moving quickly on Thursday to begin preparations to co-host the Euro 2012 football championships. "I am not particularly joyful, there is so much to do," Hryhory Surkis, head of the Football Federation of Ukraine, told Kommanda newspaper.
"What we need more than anything else is to realize the massive amount of work we have ahead of us," he said.
The UEFA executive council on Wednesday awarded hosting rights to Poland and Ukraine for the tournament, rejecting an Italian bid, and a joint offer from Croatia and Hungary.
Ukraine's parliament on Thursday unanimously passed a wide-ranging bill, called by MPs "The Euro 2012 Law", setting out a host of legal changes seen as necessary to prepare for the tournament.
The legislation gave official import tax breaks on sports goods, construction materials, and communications equipment - among other items - expected to be brought into the country for the championship.
The bill also made illegal, and stipulated fines and even jail time, for misuse of the UEFA label. Copyright infringement is rampant in Ukraine, despite repeated government commitments to control the problem.
Other articles of the law eased visa and currency import restrictions on tourists, and tightened penalties for ticket falsification, for the duration of the tournament.
Kiev mayor Leonid Chernovitsky was quick off the mark as well, announcing the Ukrainian capital intended to build from the ground up a world-class stadium for 200 million euros.
The final game of Euro 2012 is scheduled in Kiev, whose current stadium dates back to the Soviet Union and is in poor repair.
Construction of a 50,000-seater stadium in eastern Donetsk, one of the four cities scheduled to hold games, is well under way and could be complete in 2009. A 30,000-seater modern stadium in Dnipropetrovsk was even further along, and would be operation by the end of 2007, Sehodnia newspaper reported.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko on a Channel Five television interview predicted the infrastructure investment cost to Ukraine to hold its share of the tournament would be between three and five million dollars.
Mykola Rudolkovsky, Ukraine Transport Minister, was less optimistic, estimating the cost at improving just the country's roads to quality sufficient for tens of thousands of foreign motor tourists at as much as 17 billion dollars.
Source: www.earthtimes.org
"What we need more than anything else is to realize the massive amount of work we have ahead of us," he said.
The UEFA executive council on Wednesday awarded hosting rights to Poland and Ukraine for the tournament, rejecting an Italian bid, and a joint offer from Croatia and Hungary.
Ukraine's parliament on Thursday unanimously passed a wide-ranging bill, called by MPs "The Euro 2012 Law", setting out a host of legal changes seen as necessary to prepare for the tournament.
The legislation gave official import tax breaks on sports goods, construction materials, and communications equipment - among other items - expected to be brought into the country for the championship.
The bill also made illegal, and stipulated fines and even jail time, for misuse of the UEFA label. Copyright infringement is rampant in Ukraine, despite repeated government commitments to control the problem.
Other articles of the law eased visa and currency import restrictions on tourists, and tightened penalties for ticket falsification, for the duration of the tournament.
Kiev mayor Leonid Chernovitsky was quick off the mark as well, announcing the Ukrainian capital intended to build from the ground up a world-class stadium for 200 million euros.
The final game of Euro 2012 is scheduled in Kiev, whose current stadium dates back to the Soviet Union and is in poor repair.
Construction of a 50,000-seater stadium in eastern Donetsk, one of the four cities scheduled to hold games, is well under way and could be complete in 2009. A 30,000-seater modern stadium in Dnipropetrovsk was even further along, and would be operation by the end of 2007, Sehodnia newspaper reported.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko on a Channel Five television interview predicted the infrastructure investment cost to Ukraine to hold its share of the tournament would be between three and five million dollars.
Mykola Rudolkovsky, Ukraine Transport Minister, was less optimistic, estimating the cost at improving just the country's roads to quality sufficient for tens of thousands of foreign motor tourists at as much as 17 billion dollars.
Source: www.earthtimes.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)