The final of the football tournament dedicated to the memory of Hero of Ukraine Andriy Konoplev took place in Poltava

On May 18, the final stage of a tournament among youth teams, dedicated to the memory of Ukrainian Hero Andriy Konoplyov, took place in the Poltava community. This information was reported by the Poltava Regional Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center.

The first tournament in honor of Hero of Ukraine Andriy Konoplyov was held among adult teams in 2021. The next event is planned to be organized in Pyriatyn, where the warrior's family resides. For now, Andriy Konoplyov's wife, Halyna Konoplyova, and their 9-year-old son, Oleksiy, observed the final matches in Poltava. As a mark of honor, Oleksiy was given the opportunity to make the first symbolic kick of the ball in the final match between the teams from Poltava and Myrhorod.

The tournament was initially started in 2021 in Tereshky during the sports event "Respect for Warriors, Running for Ukraine's Heroes." It was initiated by the Poltava Regional Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center. Despite the ongoing full-scale Russian invasion, such events are necessary, and they are organized to continue. This year's tournament lasted nearly a month and took place in all districts of the Poltava region. A total of 40 teams participated, with the team from the Sports Youth Football School "Vorskla" winning with a score of 8:1. The second place went to the boys from Myrhorod, and the third place to the Sports Youth School "Lubny." said Deputy Chief of the Poltava Regional TCRSS, Lieutenant Colonel Eduard Borodai.

Although the tournament was initially started for adult football players, this year it was held as a youth tournament. Halyna Konoplyova noted that this was a very appropriate decision because "the rising generation needs to be raised with a sense of patriotism."

"For me, it is very valuable to have such a tournament in honor of Andriy. It means that the hero's sacrifice is not forgotten. Even though my husband was not a football player, he would have been pleased to watch the intense battles on the field," said the widow of Andriy Konoplyov.

The players were awarded medals and valuable gifts, including footballs from the Football Federation of Ukraine.

Andriy Konoplyov was born on April 29, 1977. On August 7, 2014, he was mobilized, and he died on January 23, 2015. Illegal armed formations in Donetsk launched an attack on a platoon support point, using small arms, tanks, and artillery. Senior Sergeant Konoplyov, after warning his command and making several accurate shots, destroyed one of the enemy tanks. He then disabled another. Thanks to Andriy's actions, who sacrificed his life, the enemy's advance was repelled, and the positions were held.

In 2018, Andriy Konoplyov was posthumously awarded the title of "Hero of Ukraine."