Yurii Ponkin: There is a desire to increase the number of members of the Parafan Club Kryvbas
Head of the NGO "Movement without Borders", member of the Terniv District Council, member of the Kryvbas FC Parafan Club Kryvbas fan club for people with disabilities, Yuriy Ponkin answered the questions of the media department of the club's journalists.
- Tell us about your thoughts when you first heard about the idea of creating Parafan Club Kryvbas?
- The idea of creating Parafan Club Kryvbas arose about three years ago, when our public organization "Movement without Borders" was invited to the stadium, which at that time was undergoing major renovation. Then we were asked about the inclusivity of the stadium, that is, we consulted about barrier-free accessibility. It was there that the idea was born that when the stadium becomes accessible, people with disabilities could attend FC Kryvbas games. As for my thoughts, I immediately thought that this would be very cool, because there are not many, let's say, entertaining places in the city that a person with a disability could go to, so I took the idea with a positive attitude.
- What is your role in this project?
- My role is purely managerial. I told about the creation of Parafan Club Kryvbas to my friends, members of the "Movement Without Borders" public organization. I communicate with people with disabilities, invite people, offer them new opportunities, organize delivery by special transport. I also communicate with the management staff of FC Kryvbas, we are constantly in touch.
- Were you interested in football before creating Parafan Club Kryvbas? Did you support "Kryvbas"?
- I am interested in football, but not fanatically. I watched the games of the national team of Ukraine, or top clubs such as Shakhtar, Dynamo, Kryvbas.
- Tell us how FC "Kryvbas" supports people with disabilities?
- A vivid example of help from the Club is our leader Vladyslav Mykytyuk. The club paid for him to buy a wheelchair. The club invites us to matches and helps us feel what accessibility is.
- Share your emotions when you came to the Kryvbas match for the first time as part of the Parafan Club Kryvbas.
- The first thing that struck me was the results of the stadium renovation: quite large-scale. I liked everything, except for some points in terms of accessibility, which we voiced. Almost all of them have been fixed, now the matter remains only for the toilet. Football for us, people with disabilities, for the most part, I can safely say so, because I talk to people who go to games, it's more about communication, about emotions, to communicate, and also to feel the football atmosphere. Emotions from the first game are positive. I am sure that everything will work out for us with FC Kryvbas. I hope for the future development and expansion of Parafan Club Kryvbas.
- Tell me, what kind of atmosphere prevails among the Parafan participants?
- Quite a positive, cheerful atmosphere. People do not often go to events of this nature. Fresh air, sports, communication with colleagues and friends - all this creates only positivity.
- Being a member of the Parafan Club Kryvbas, what future goals do you set for such an important association of fans for our Club?
- I rather wish that the number of Parafan participants increases. We would like to see in our ranks veterans who returned home after hostilities. Because now they really need psychological support, socialization. It is for football fans and not only that we would like this process to take place as soon as possible and as widely as possible.
Contacts of Parafan Club Kryvbas:
social@fckryvbas.com
+38 (097) 050 05 76
Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih