IPC grant helping build the future of Para ice hockey in Hungary and Ukraine
Twelve athletes and four team officials from Hungary and Ukraine took part in a Para ice hockey development camp, supported by a grant from the International Paralympic Committee 11 Apr 2025
When Alex Morvai took to the ice at the World Para Ice Hockey Skills Development camp, he realised right away that it is a sport that he wants to pursue and become a Paralympic champion in one day.
The Hungarian athlete tried the sport for the first time during a five-day training camp in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia, with the support of a grant from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
“I always try to do my best because one day I want to be a champion. It’s a long way to go, but I will always keep pushing,” he said.
The IPC grant helped 12 athletes and four team officials from Hungary and Ukraine – teams that are new to the sport - to participate in the development camp, which was organised by World Para Ice Hockey and hosted by the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Slovakia.
Roman Hapachylo, Ukraine’s Para ice hockey team leader, said, “To be honest, it was the biggest surprise for me that we were invited by the international Para ice hockey federation. It was the first time our flag was in any Para hockey event.”
“So, it’s kind of like history.”
“The type of skills that they receive here for sure will help them in daily life. They become, ‘OK, I have a mission in my life. I have purpose again.”
New skills and big dreams ahead!
— Para Ice Hockey (@paraicehockey) April 10, 2025
Athletes and team officials from Ukraine 🇺🇦 and Hungary 🇭🇺 joined the Para ice hockey development camp in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia, with the support of the @paralympics’ Sport Technical Training and Training Camp Grant. #ParaIceHockey pic.twitter.com/TPGRroY0dl
Developing the sport
Yevhenni Shvab, who was one of six Ukrainian athletes supported by the programme, says he wants to see the Paralympic sport grow in his country.
While Ukraine has won 141 medals since its Paralympic Winter Games debut at Nagano 1998, Ukraine has never had a Para ice hockey team attend the Games.
“My first experience showed me that the ice is not mentally exhausting. Physically exhausting, yes, but not mentally,” Shvab said. “The emotions are really wonderful. I want to develop this in our country. No one says it will be easy, but we will manage.”
Para ice hockey is a fast-paced Para sport that made its Paralympic Winter Games debut at Lillehammer 1994. The sport has grown exponentially over the past three decades and is now played in 20 different countries around the world.
The IPC grant was launched in 2017 to increase opportunities for athletes, coaches, administrators, technical officials and classifiers to develop their full potential and participate in Para sports at the highest level.
This has also contributed to the growth of the Paralympic Movement around the world. Since its launch, the grant has benefited over 1,000 people, ranging from Para sport beginners to Paralympic medal hopefuls.
The grant supports International Federations to organise training camps and technical courses, in addition to helping athletes take part in qualification events in the year ahead of the Games.
In 2024, the grant benefited athletes and officials in 25 Paralympic sports, including Para ice hockey.
“Most of our team members have never been at such a camp before. We wanted to learn from the professionals,” said Zoltan Kovacs, vice president of hockey operation at the Hungarian Ice Hockey Federation.
”We think it’s very useful that we can develop our sports much better.”
