A Veteran Development Center has been opened at the National University of Physical Education and Sport, where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained in professional esports. The first team of veterans has already set ambitious goals.
As part of the new program overseen by the Department of Esports, veterans are studying and training three times a week. The university has equipped special computer labs with all necessary equipment and literature, reports the Dim TV channel.
The group is led by esports and innovative technology instructor Valerii Pinchuk, who has played professionally in Counter-Strike.
“We start our training with mechanical skills because they still need to be prepared for analytical skills. There are veterans who have never sat at a computer. We provide them with the basics, such as teaching them how to enter games and explaining what Google is, for example,” says instructor Valerii Pinchuk.
“I believe the most effective rehabilitation is esports. Communication skills are necessary for team-based games. During the team game, the guys communicate with each other, interact, and learn to trust each other. It is truly impressive because each team member gives their all,” says veteran Yevhen Omelchuk, who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the start of the full-scale war and left service due to injury.
The veterans’ team has ambitious plans: they will prepare for national competitions and later for international events to showcase the victorious spirit of Ukrainians to the world.