Denys Kovtun: "Metalist 1925" is not just a football club, but a project that supports and inspires the people of Kharkiv"

Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of "Metalist 1925" Denys Kovtun in an interview for the club's press service talked about the creation of the team "Metalist 1925 Unbreakable" and the club's social mission:

— Tell us about the creation of the team "Metalist 1925 - Unbreakable". How did the idea of this project come about?

— This is an important step for "Metalist 1925". We officially added the amputee football team "Unbreakable" to the club's structure. This is not a one-time action, but part of our social strategy. For me, as the deputy chairman of the supervisory board, such initiatives are a priority - we pay a lot of attention to social directions, helping the military and supporting people affected by the war. Therefore, creating a team composed of military personnel who have been injured and undergone amputation is a logical continuation of this work.

— Can you tell us more about the work of the deputy chairman of the supervisory board of "Metalist 1925"?

— Together with Bohdan Boyko and Volodymyr Nosov, I am involved in the strategic planning of the club's work. At the same time, the direction of social projects is personally important to me. We implement initiatives related to supporting the defense forces of Ukraine, veterans. Our task is for "Metalist 1925" to be perceived not just as a football club, but as a project that supports and inspires the people of Kharkiv. This includes the addition of our amputee football team "Metalist 1925 Unbreakable" to our family, as well as our charity match with "Khartiya", where military personnel and children from Kharkiv region affected by the war played alongside showbiz and sports stars, and our other initiatives.

— How did the integration of the "Unbreakable" into the club's structure happen?

— The integration of the "Unbreakable" into the structure of "Metalist 1925" was a logical continuation of shared values and a desire to develop amputee football in Kharkiv. We had long discussed the possibility of creating an amputee football team within our club's structure. When the "Unbreakable" appeared in Kharkiv, we saw that the guys were doing what we wanted to do. Creating another similar team in the city didn't make sense, so in the end, we decided to join forces. The "Unbreakable" already had a cohesive team, but they lacked resources for stable development. That's when we met, and it turned out that we shared a common vision - to support those who need the opportunity to return to life through sports. This union was a natural step for the club, which has always been associated with Kharkiv. We believe that such initiatives should be present in every professional club, as amputee football is not just a game, but a part of the rehabilitation, faith, and recovery process.

— How will the club support the team in the future?

— They are a full-fledged team of our club, like all the others. First and foremost, we have provided the guys with everything they need - equipment, inventory, and so on. In addition, the club takes care of the organizational and financial expenses related to training and participation in the championship.

— In which competitions will the team compete?

— The "Unbreakable" will continue to compete in the Ukrainian amputee football championship, but now under the name "Metalist 1925 Unbreakable". For us, it is a great honor and responsibility to contribute to the development of adaptive sports in Ukraine.

— What other projects have been successfully implemented during your time at the club?

— We have already mentioned the charity show match "United by the Game", which we held jointly with the 13th National Guard Brigade and the "Khartiya" corps with the support of the Ukrainian Football Association. This event was awarded the "Best Marketing Case of August", but the most valuable aspect is that it brought together athletes, military personnel, and fans around a common goal - supporting our defenders and children affected by the war.

— Social projects are not overshadowed by the performance of the men's team. How do you assess Bartulovich's team's initial performance?

— I would say - with cautious optimism. The team had a successful start, is in the upper part of the table, and that is pleasing. But the main thing is not to lose focus. There is a long season ahead, and it is important to maintain stability. I want to highlight the work of the coaching staff and players, as well as the entire structure - they are really putting in the effort, but there is still a lot of work ahead.