Ukrainian softball team escapes war-torn country to compete in Canada Cup – BC | 24CA News
The Ukranian girls’s junior softball workforce has crushed the percentages, escaping the struggle of their residence nation to play the sport they love in Canada.
The workforce is competing within the Canada Cup, an annual worldwide softball event taking place at Softball City in Surrey this week.
It’s because of Canadian sponsers the workforce was capable of make it for the event this week.
Back in May, the workforce had plans to hitch the Women’s Softball World Cup however these hopes had been dashed when the funds had been reallocated to the struggle effort.
That’s when Canada Cup organizers stepped as much as the plate.
“Our host committee got together and said lets do this. This seems bigger than sports,” explains Greg Timm, Chair of the Canada Cup.
“The Ukrainian government is trying to make their kids in Ukraine believe that there is life after war. So, they’re using this tournament and this trip sponsored by Canadians to give hope to kids that are still kids.”
Timm says inside eight days they had been capable of increase over $60,000 {dollars} from folks throughout B.C by means of funding and a GoFundMe marketing campaign.
“We pulled the heartstrings of people all over British Columbia who donated little bits of money, lots of money, offered goods and services in kind and just showed our overwhelming connection to Ukraine. There are so many people that have Ukrainian roots here,” Timm added.
“These are 17-year-old kids that want to play. They don’t want to be involved in an armed conflict. These kids have moms and dads and neighbors that are off on the frontlines of the war and these kids are trying to still play and still be children.”
On Friday, the teenagers and their teaching workers arrived in Canada, greeted with indicators of help and sponsoring households.
For softball gamers like Halyna Sochneiva, that is about greater than a contest.
“I’m watching the news every day, then I go practice and I forget about everything,” Sochneiva explains.
“I’m doing my thing, and this has helped me get through this.”
Team supervisor Vasyl Kysilis is grateful for all of the help from Canadians who made it attainable for them to come back and says it’s now time to shift focus to the sector.
“Our army fights over there, so we are fighting for them,” Kysilis shared.
“We will show Ukraine that we are a strong team and that we can do anything.”
The workforce’s first recreation is Monday night.
There shall be a delegated Ukraine Day celebration on Tuesday.
You can see the complete schedule and purchase tickets on the Canada Cup web site.
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