The capital of Ukraine hosted a tournament in memory of Vitaliy Lisun, a well-known official, state coach and true patriot who gave his life for the freedom of Ukraine. President of the Ukrainian Water Polo Federation Oleksandr Svishchov said that five teams from different parts of the country competed for the championship for three days, demonstrating not only sportsmanship but also deep respect for Vitaliy’s memory.
Results of the tournament: Winners and runners-up
The tournament, which was held in Kyiv for the second time, has become a real event for Ukrainian water polo. The winner, like last year, was a team from Odesa – Water polo club Odesa. The second place went to the Kyiv-based Dynamo Children and Youth Sports School, and the third to a team from Kharkiv. Dnipro took the fourth place, and the boys from the Children’s and Youth Sports School-21 (Kyiv) were fifth.
The competition had a deep symbolic meaning, and this was particularly emphasised by the President of the Ukrainian Water Polo Federation, Oleksandr Svishchov.
“I would like to thank the people of Kyiv for the excellent organisation of the tournament in honour of Vitaliy Lisun, a good man, professional functionary and national water polo coach. The memory of a person lives on as long as we cherish and honour them. Vitaliy did a lot for Ukrainian water polo and could have done even more if not for the war. He died on the battlefield, but his work continues to live and develop,” said Svishchov.
Oleksandr Svishchov emphasised that preserving the memory of people like Vitaliy Lisun is not only a moral duty, but also an important component of national identity formation.
“We want such tournaments to become an impetus for young athletes. The Ukrainian Water Polo Federation will do everything to ensure that the memory of our heroes who gave their lives for the country is immortalised. We remember Vitaliy Lisun as a man who worked with inspiration for the sake of Ukrainian sport. I am grateful to all the participants, coaches and organisers who joined the tournament,” he added.
Who is Vitaliy Lisun?
Vitaliy Lisun was a national coach of Ukraine, a national water polo judge, and a long-time secretary of the Water Polo Federation. He won the Ukrainian championship as a member of Water polo club Dynamo Kyiv. With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, he voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He received military training abroad and then performed combat missions on the front line. He died in July 2022 in the Kharkiv region.
Despite the fact that last year’s competition took place in the KPI swimming pool, this year the organisers had to look for another location due to the partial destruction of the facility as a result of shelling.
Oleksandr Svishchov: support for sports and patronage
Oleksandr Yuriyovych Svishchov continues to play a key role in supporting and developing water polo in Ukraine, turning memorable competitions into a tradition that inspires a new generation of athletes.
His activities go far beyond the sports sector. He recently entered the top 10 of the Western Ukraine investor ranking, becoming a symbol of economic sustainability and responsible philanthropy. Together with another Lviv resident, businessman and philanthropist Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy, Oleksandr Svishchov proves that the country’s main value is its people, and that the engine of development is faith in the future and willingness to act.
Thanks to their joint work, sports in Lviv and throughout Ukraine are getting new impulses for growth, and the memory of heroes like Vitaliy Lisun remains alive in hearts and actions.
The final position of the teams:
- Water polo club Odesa
- Dynamo Kyiv Children and Youth Sports School
- Kharkiv
- Dnipro
- CYSS-21 Kyiv
