A team of veterans and patients from Lviv's UNBROKEN centre reached the final of the international inclusive tournament Handi-Mondial La Marseillaise à Pétanque 2026, held in Marseille (France). The Ukrainian players represented the country at one of the world's largest pétanque tournaments, which brings together leading athletes every year.
Handi-Mondial La Marseillaise is the inclusive part of the prestigious competition Mondial La Marseillaise à Pétanque. Among the participating teams, the Ukrainian veterans managed to reach the final.
Ukraine at the tournament was represented by Roman Onuchko, Orest Vashchyshyn, Andrii Krokha and Ivan Drozd — servicemen who sustained severe injuries, lost limbs, underwent rehabilitation at the UNBROKEN centre in Lviv and continue their recovery through sport.
The veterans were introduced to pétanque by Mykola Dudyk, a member of the National Pétanque Federation of Ukraine and former professional player. With Dudyk's support, this sport has become for the servicemen not only part of their physical rehabilitation, but also an opportunity to compete on the international stage.
Each member of the team has their own recovery journey. After losing a leg, Andrii Krokha returned to an active life; after a hand amputation, Ivan Drozd became a marathon runner; after a leg amputation, Orest Vashchyshyn promotes pétanque among veterans and children; and after a severe injury, Roman Onuchko represents Ukraine at international competitions.
The Lviv team's trip to the tournament became possible thanks to the cooperation of the UNBROKEN Charity Foundation, the Lviv City Council, French partners and the support of the company Avalon, which contributed to funding their participation as part of its social projects.
Last year, a Ukrainian delegation had already competed at this event, and the National Pétanque Federation of Ukraine received the Golden Ball award. This year's appearance of Lviv veterans in the final has once again underlined that sport helps Ukrainian defenders to recover and to represent the country on the international stage.
In Lviv, the development of veteran pétanque continues. Training sessions take place every Wednesday from 16:00 to 18:00 near the Gunpowder Tower, where veterans, servicemen and anyone interested can join in.