European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Tibor Navracsics praised Ukraine’s joining the initiative of the European Union European Week of Sport.

"I am very glad to welcome Ukraine as a participant in the European Week of Sport initiative. Promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyle remains one of the EU's top priorities in the field of sport. Today it is of utmost importance, because the level of sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity has increased everywhere in recent years. That is why, four years ago I launched the European Week of Sport initiative to promote European citizens to do more sports and be active throughout the year independently from age, training or athletic level", the European Commissioner said.

According to him, during the last three years the initiative has increased tremendously. For example, 16 million people took part in 37. 000 events across Europe in 2017. He is assured that this year's fourth European Sport Week, which will take place from September 23rd to 30th, will be even more successful and involve more partner organizations and countries.

"Drawing on the success of this initiative, I am glad to expand the European Sport Week and our partners to the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership region, and I am pleased with the positive feedback received and its future participation as it will be an opportunity for further strengthening and deepening. cooperation with our partners", Tibor Navracsics emphasized.

The main purpose of the European Sport Week is to demonstrate to people how to be physically active and to give them new opportunities to play sports more. Your support for the initiative, as well as your personal involvement, will surely contribute to the success of  the European Week of Sport in Ukraine ", the European Commissioner said.

Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Ihor Zhdanov stressed that he in synergy with the team of the Ministry fully contributes to the promotion of the European Sport Week in our country: "We have expanded the format of this initiative virtually for the whole month. This is the celebration of the Day of Physical Culture and Sport under the European slogan #beactive, chess tournament at NSC "Olimpiysky" and other events. We are actively involved in this initiative; it is a great opportunity to emphasize the importance of the European aspirations of Ukraine.  I am gratetufl to the European Commission, in particular to the Commissioner Tibor Navracsics, for cooperation and invitation to join the European Sport Week", the Minister stated.