War veterans play football in Ukraine's first ever amputee tournament
It's almost three years since #Russia invaded Ukraine. More than 50,000 people in #Ukraine have lost limbs in the conflict - mostly in the military. Now, for the first time, some of those veterans have an opportunity to play football - with a growing number of clubs specifically for amputees.
In mid January amputee team Shaktar Stalevi, 'Men of steel', former soldiers, now footballers, were preparing for Ukraine's ever amputee football tournament. Vlad lost his right leg when a mine exploded six months ago. There's also a mixed team in the tournament. Olha was a military chef. She'd left her baby with her mother and signed up. Her husband has been missing in action for 2 years. Dmytro, on the other hand, was a professional footballer before the the war in Ukraine.
SHOTLIST
Filmed mid January. Location: #Kyiv
Players sitting around in changing room and players having phsyio
SOUNDBITE (English vo over Ukrainian) Vlad Klimchuk \Shakhtar Stalevi:
Vlad kicking ball and running across the pitch using crutches
Women football player Olha practising scoring goals
SOUNDBITE 1 (English vo over Ukrainian) Olha Benda \Kyiv Amputee FC:
Players sitting by edge of pitch drinking and resting
SOUNDBITE 2 (English vo over Ukrainian) Olha Benda \Kyiv #Amputee FC:
Dmytro doing warm up exercises
SOUNDBITE (English vo over Ukrainian) Dmytro Mikhasyuk \Shakhtar Stalevi:
Two teams gathered by side of pitch for photo op