Greetings from EUBC European Championships in Kharkiv by EUBC President, Franco Falcinelli
17 June 2017Dear boxing friends, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen
On behalf of AIBA President Dr. CK Wu and the European Boxing Confederation that I am honored to chair, I welcome all of you to Kharkiv for the Continental Elite Championships 2017.
A warm thanks to the Sport Ministry of UKR Mr. Igor Zhdanov and Ms. Yuliya Svyatlychna for attending this opening Ceremony.
A special and heartfelt thanks to the President of UBF Mr. Volodomir Prodivus, his Vice President Mr. Dmitry Shentsev and to the Competition Manager Mr. Dmitry Gaistruck for their strong effort and their great organizational commitment, as well as the valuable support of the Mayor of the City Mr. Gennady Kernes.
The Ukrainian Boxing Federation has a great boxing tradition. In the past and in recent times, important cities have organized many International boxing events, and have been always appreciated for the pleasant hospitality and for their excellent management.
Dear boxing friends, IOC President T. Bach, said that Olympic Sports builds bridges and not walls between different cultures and traditions, political, religious and social affiliation. Olympic Sport is a vehicle of peace and brotherhood among all people.

From left: Donatas Piskun (Executive Director of Ukrainian Boxing Federation), Volodymyr Prodyvus (President of Ukrainian Boxing Federation), Franco Falcinelli (EUBC President), Gennady Kernes (Major of Kharkiv), Dmitry Shentsev (first Vice President of Ukrainian Boxing Federation).
With these idealistic values, our boxers will fight on this 2 rings to reconfirm the principles of loyalty, fair play and respect of the rules. HeadsUp! Is not just a slogan, but the strong determination in the renewal process, started 10 years ago by President WU: to put the priority to the boxer, his sporting career, his health and his social future.
As you know, this European Championships represents the only chance for the qualification of AIBA World Championship that will take place in Hamburg (GER) at the end of August.
With the certainty that in the ring the best boxer will win , I would like to wish all athletes GOOD LUCK and a successful performance to the Coaches, Referees/Judges, ITOs and AIBA Supervisor, Mr. Marko Marovich.
In featured image – From left: Volodymyr Prodyvus (President of Ukrainian Boxing Federation), Dmitry Shentsev (first Vice President of Ukrainian Boxing Federation), Gennady Kernes (Major of Kharkiv), Franco Falcinelli (EUBC President), Donatas Piskun (Executive Director of Ukrainian Boxing Federation)
