The capital of Ukraine hosted a water polo tournament dedicated to the memory of Vitaliy Lisun, an outstanding athlete, coach and defender of Ukraine. For three intense days, teams from all over the country competed for the championship title. For the second time in a row, the team from Odesa won, demonstrating a high level of skill.
President of the Ukrainian Water Polo Federation Oleksandr Svishchov, who attended the competition, noted the impeccable organization of the tournament and stressed the importance of preserving the memory of Vitaliy Lisun, a man who dedicated his life to the development of Ukrainian water polo.
“I would like to thank the people of Kyiv for the excellent organization of the tournament in honor of Vitaliy Lisun, a good man, professional functionary and state water polo coach. The memory of a person lives on as long as we cherish and honor him,” said Oleksandr Svishchov.
Oleksandr Svishchov: Lisun’s case continues to live and develop
Mr. Svishchov emphasized that Vitaliy Lisun made a huge contribution to the development of the sport, and his work should be continued.
“Vitaliy did a lot for Ukrainian water polo and could have done even more if not for the war. He was killed on the battlefield, but his work continues to live and develop. We want such tournaments to become an impetus for young athletes,” added the President of the Ukrainian Water Polo Federation.
Mr. Svishchov assured that the Federation would do everything possible to immortalize the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine’s independence.
“We remember Vitaliy Lisun as a man who worked with inspiration for the sake of Ukrainian sport. I thank all the participants, coaches and organizers who joined the tournament,” he concluded.
Five teams took part in the competition. The standings are as follows:
- 1st place – Water polo club Odesa
- 2nd place – Children and Youth Sports School “Dynamo” Kyiv
- 3rd place – Kharkiv team
- 4th place – Dnipro team
- 5th place – CYSS-21 Kyiv
It is worth noting that last year the tournament was held in the KPI swimming pool, which was partially destroyed by Russian shelling. Despite the challenges, the organizers managed to ensure a high level of competition.
In memory of the hero
Oleksandr Svishchov said that Vitaliy Lisun was an iconic figure in Ukrainian water polo. He held the position of state coach of Ukraine, was a national category judge, and for many years worked as the secretary of the Ukrainian Water Polo Federation. As a player, he became a champion of Ukraine as a member of Dynamo Kyiv.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion, Vitaliy Lisun voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where he performed combat missions on the front line. His life was tragically cut short in July 2022 in the Kharkiv region while defending his homeland.
A tradition that inspires
Last year, the President of the Ukrainian Football Association, Oleksandr Svishchov, announced his intention to make the Vitaliy Lisun Memorial Tournament an annual event. This competition has become not only a sporting event, but also a symbol of the memory of heroes who continue to live in the hearts of Ukrainians.
Mr. Svishchov’s active support of sports, particularly water polo, helps to attract young people and strengthen the nation’s sporting spirit. His activities are not limited to sports: he was recently ranked among the top 3 investors in Western Ukraine. Together with another Lviv businessman, Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy, Mr. Svishchov is proving that the country’s main assets are its people and economic resilience, and has become a true driver of the Ukrainian economy in difficult times.
