HORSHAM, Pa.– In what history records as the Euro-Maidan Revolution of Dignity, many hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian protesters withstood bludgeoning, false arrest, torture, snipers’ bullets and other unlawful lethal government riot squad assaults. In the end, the astonishingly corrupt Putin-backed Viktor Yanukovych government simply fled to the “protecting arms” of Russia.
Now sealed through a full, fair, constitutional and open electoral process, the Ukrainian people placed into office a government that serves their desire for a Western, European community future: true independence, honest government, democracy, equality of opportunity, peace and the preservation of human rights, freedoms and dignities.
Mr. Yanukovych left behind a bankrupt and politically, militarily and economically disabled country that now must also defend itself and its people from an attack by Russian regular and special armed forces, and their hired proxies and other militants.
As a result of a Russia’s aggression, necessary public sector austerity measures and budgetary constraints, and a devalued Ukrainian currency, the Ukrainian Ski Federation was financially unable to send a full squad of skiers to the World Alpine Ski Championships on February 2-16, in Beaver Creek, Colo. The team’s resources for ground transportation were also limited.
Ukraine’s Embassy to the United States forwarded the federation’s appeal for sponsorship assistance to the Tryzub Ukrainian American Sport Center (UASC) in Horsham, Pa. The club responded immediately by sponsoring the travel expenses of two skiers and the ground transport for the team.
In her letter of acknowledgement, the federation’s CEO, Julia Siparenko, thanked UASC and stated, “the assistance allows us to represent Ukraine at the Alpine skiing World Championships with a full squad and with dignity, …it will definitely be a great encouragement for our athletes and coaches.”
“Among our primary missions are the preservation, promotion and celebration of our heritage and of the Ukrainian sporting spirit,” said Dan Nysch, UASC president. “Supporting our ancestral homeland’s ski team is, therefore, an honor for us … it is another mission accomplished.”
“We will be following the progress of the championship and our hearts will be with them as they compete,” he added.
“This sponsorship helps our fellow Ukrainian sportspersons shine in the face of severe oppression at the hands of Putin and his minions,” declared UASC board member and sponsorship coordinator, Bohdan Pazuniak.
On Sunday evening, January 31, UASC Tryzub representatives and members of the Ukrainian American community of Denver were to greet Ukraine’s skiers at the airport and host an intimate gathering for them at Transfiguration Ukrainian Catholic Church. Afterwards, the team will travel to Beaver Creek/Vail for training runs and competition.
Philadelphia-born and raised Tryzub member Orest Pazuniak and Bohdan Fedynsky, an area businessperson, were organizers of the gathering and were to represent Tryzub through several sponsorship events. The Denver Ukrainian American community will also assist their fellow Ukrainians with room and board.
Coached and trained by Tim Ershov and Ales Brezavzcek, Ukraine’s Alpine ski team members at the World Championships include three men, Rostyslav Feshchuk, Dmytro Mytsak and Ivan Kovbasnyuk, and three women, Bogdana Matsotska, Tetyana Tikun and Olha Knysh.
For further information, send emails through UASC’s website: www.tryzub.org.