Kyiv becomes the sport capital of Europe and the world

By Ukrinform

In 2018, Kyiv hosted a large number of world-class sports competitions, especially the final of the UEFA Champions League and the 56th Convention of the WBC.

This was said by the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, in his report on the work of city authorities in 2018, says the website of the Kyiv City Council.

“Kyiv becomes the sports capital of Europe and the world. Thus, this year the capital hosted the World Kickboxing Championship “ISKA”, The Indoor Soccer Tournament, he Final Workout fest 2018 and for the first time the final of the UEFA Champions League plus the 56th Convention of the WBC, “said the mayor of the capital.

He noted that during the entire period of the Champions League final from May 21 to 26, the border guards of Ukraine addressed more than 300,000 foreign nationals at the checkpoints.

“And each one of them is a potential ambassador of our city, who will talk about Kyiv to his friends and will do a promotion for our city,” Klitschko emphasized.

As the mayor pointed out, the 56th WBC Convention, held in early October, was a great event for the capital. Vitali Klitschko held negotiations to bring this event to Ukraine for two years.

“During this week, the Kiev Citizens and visitors of the capital were able to see the legends of the world boxing: Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Oscar de la Hoya, Erik Morales. There were also referees, sports managers and many guests.

Everyone was delighted with Kyiv and promised to return. Both the UEFA management and the WBC directives were delighted  with the organization. Kyiv made an amazing job and showed itself in the best way “, emphasized the mayor of the capital.

As he added, in 2018, Kyiv invested  640 million hryvnias for the development of the physical culture and sports sector, 20% more compared to last year. In particular, in the capital, 2 new sports schools were opened, 8 sports facilities were repaired, 52 football fields were co-financed with the State.

World Boxing Council statement

All of us at the World Boxing Council, including its president, Mauricio Sulaiman Saldivar, and the WBC Board of Governors, congratulate our dear friend, legendary heavyweight champion and current mayor of the City of Kyiv, with great pride, Vitali Klitschko, for his excellent management in the capital of Ukraine.

During the days he received us in his city to celebrate our annual convention, we received nothing more than  friendship and great support from him, his brother Vladimir and all his team, including the outstanding team of volunteers. 

Thanks to their tremendous support, they managed to make this annual meeting considered by all the boxing family as a historic event in which boxing took an enormous step in its international development.

 Without any doubt we will always carry in our minds and hearts this convention for being one of the best .

Congratulations,  Vitali and thank you very much for everything, Kyiv!

WBC Convention Photos by Pavel Saharevsky