Sport Ireland has called on all National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships to do what they can in welcoming Ukrainian nationals that are being forced to relocate to Ireland as a result of Russia’s invasion of their country.
“The hope is that collectively we might be able to provide a semblance of normality and hope to those displaced, in the face of difficulty we can’t even begin to imagine,” said a Sport Ireland statement issued this morning.
“Sport Ireland stands with the Government and the people of Ireland in welcoming to Ireland all of Ukrainians fleeing the terrible situation in their home country.”
Football, Basketball and Boxing are probably the three most popular sports in the country. The Republic of Ireland will play Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League this summer, though the dates of the games have yet to be confirmed.
Sport Ireland is also encouraging all of Ireland’s National Governing Bodies to take a firm position and encourage their international federations to condemn the invasion and ban Russian and Belarussian athletes from their events and competitions.
Elsewhere, Jack Chambers has joined with 37 other Sports Ministers from across the EU, North America and Australasia in condemning the actions of both Russia and Belarus.
