Oleksandr Svishchov spoke about the development of men’s and women’s water polo during the war

Oleksandr Svishchov, President of the Ukrainian Water Polo Federation, identified the main achievements of the men’s and women’s water polo teams, told whether coaching rotations are planned, and how he sees the future of both teams.

“Water polo is a fairly tough contact game, the water environment serves as a platform for it. Nowadays, this sport is becoming popular among young people. It is safe to say that the level of the matches has improved,” – said Oleksandr Yuriyovych Svishchov, President of the Ukrainian Water Polo Federation.

Oleksandr Svishchov noted that there are matches where the intrigue lasts until the last second of the match, but unfortunately, there are not so many of them. However, there are teams that are making progress.

The main achievement in the Super League is the increase in the number of teams in the Ukrainian championship – their number has increased to eight, which gave young water polo players the opportunity to prove themselves. But in the women’s championship, the situation is unchanged, with only three teams. These are the consequences of a full-scale war, Svishchov notes.

“The war had a big impact on the women’s teams, most of the girls went abroad after the full-scale invasion began. Many of them are still there. I hope that next season women’s teams from Kharkiv and Dnipro will apply and we will be able to return to the format of five teams in the Premier League,” said the President of the Ukrainian Water Polo Federation. This, in turn, will help change the trends in women’s water polo.

As for the coaching staff, there are no plans to rotate them, said Oleksandr Svishchov. The President of the Ukrainian Water Polo Federation emphasized that leading the main team of the country is a great responsibility and a great challenge.

“Working with national teams is very responsible, but also prestigious. Currently, Oleksiy Shvedov and Serhiy Ryabchenko will work with the national teams until 2024. I wish both coaches strength and patience in their work and good results,” Svishchov said.

But he noted that he wanted there to be more interest and competition among the coaches. At the end of 2024, the federation plans to hold an open competition for national team coaches. Next year will be more of a preparatory year for the Ukrainian national teams. The teams will not take part in major tournaments, as the European water polo championships among men and women are currently underway.

The President of the Ukrainian Water Polo Federation Oleksandr Svishchov sees the development of the men’s and women’s national teams in 2024 in a peaceful Ukraine, and hopes that our water polo players will not only be able to represent Ukraine in the international arena with dignity, but will also give more reasons to be happy for them.

Oleksandr Svishchov also noted the powerful game of athletes in the Super League, namely WC Dynamo against LFKC Aquatico and the Transcarpathian national team.

“Water polo is gaining popularity among young men. A striking example is the strong performance of our athletes in the Super League,” said Oleksandr Svishchov, President of the Ukrainian Water Polo Federation.