24.04.2025
Since 2022, the ENERGY CUP has regularly gathered teams from the country’s leading energy companies on the football field. Each tournament, whether spring or autumn, demonstrates the unity and strength of spirit of Ukrainian energy workers. The number of participants varies from 11 to 14 teams, which include not professional athletes, but company employees – from managers to workers – united by a love for football and a desire to help the defenders of Ukraine.
All of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants traditionally participate in the ENERGY CUP football tournaments. According to Serhii Snitkov, the head of the primary trade union organization of the National Nuclear Energy Generating Company “Energoatom,” this year’s ENERGY CUP Spring-2025 will feature six teams: those from the Zaporizhzhia, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, and South Ukraine nuclear power plants, as well as teams from the directorate and the “Energoatom” Thermal Power Plant. Supporting sports and a healthy lifestyle is one of the priority areas of the “Energoatom” trade union.
– Serhii, Energoatom teams are participating in the charitable Energy Club tournament for the sixth time. Why do Energoatom and its trade union traditionally support this event?
– The trade union organization of NNEGC “Energoatom” supports all initiatives related to helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We have even reduced staff recreation expenses, redirecting funds to the needs of our defenders.
The ENERGY CUP tournament unites all energy companies in Ukraine. “Energoatom” is a stable company that consistently generates electricity, which allows the state to withstand the war. Our teams gladly participate in the ENERGY CUP football tournament. And in the spring of 2025, we also plan to join and make our contribution to helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
– What motivates the teams of nuclear power plants, their employees, to participate in the tournament?
– In addition to the charitable component, it is an opportunity for employees of nuclear power plants to travel and communicate with each other. Unfortunately, now, in this difficult time for the country, this does not happen often. And also – the sporting interest, the team spirit, which stimulates the physical development of the company’s employees, the growth of football teams in our separate divisions, which then worthily participate in other competitions and win prizes.
– Over these years, many memories have probably accumulated. What are the brightest moments, achievements, or perhaps curious incidents related to the participation of Energoatom teams in previous tournaments that you could recall?
– We remember when “Cherkasyoblenergo” presented a professional football team for participation in the tournament, and the South Ukraine NPP team, having reached the final, worthily withstood the match. Of course, the professionals won, but this allowed our guys to rally together and win the tournament the following year. Currently, there are two clear leaders in the ENERGY CUP – the teams of the South Ukraine and Khmelnytskyi NPPs. Last year, the Khmelnytskyi team prevailed, and I think this year the South Ukraine station will be betting on the tournament, and the struggle will be very fierce.
– How does the process of selecting players or forming teams from different NPPs take place? Are there certain criteria, or is it mainly on a voluntary basis?
– Basically, participation is voluntary. I think that football teams have already been formed at each enterprise. They are cohesive, well-coordinated, and constantly train. Of course, their composition is updated, replenished with new players – employees of the divisions who join the local football clubs.
– Nuclear power plants are facilities with a special operating regime and a high level of responsibility. What significance do such sports events have for NPP employees in the context of their specific and intense work?
– Physical activity, competitions, tournaments, and sports days allow them to relieve tension. Electricity production is associated with constant self-control – attentiveness, concentration, so active recreation is very important for the company’s employees and helps maintain a normal state of the nervous system for further productive professional activity.
In particular, participation in the ENERGY CUP tournament positively affects team spirit, morale, and the overall cohesion of NPP teams. After a defeat, of course, there are negative emotions, but in general, people get pleasure from competitions, communication, and joint sports leisure.
– The tournament is organized by Energy Club, uniting various companies in the energy sector. In your opinion, how do such events contribute to cooperation and informal communication between representatives of different enterprises in the sector?
– They contribute greatly, especially during the martial law in the country, considering the various events and incidents that occur during the operation of energy facilities. It is no secret that enemy shelling has targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The cohesion of personnel from energy sector enterprises and companies allows us to establish work and stable operation of all units to provide electricity to the country.
– What are the trade union’s expectations for this year’s tournament?
– Victory!
– Your wishes to the Energoatom teams participating in the ENERGY CUP and to the organizers of the tournament – Energy Club.
– Good mood, belief in the correctness of your actions and in victory.
We remind you that the sixth charitable football tournament ENERGY CUP Spring-2025 will be held on June 7 in Kyiv. Team registration is ongoing. Join us!
The competitions organized by Energy Club unite professionals in the energy sector for a noble cause and the strengthening of partnerships!
The tournament is held to raise aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and for personal acquaintance of representatives of energy companies, informal communication, exchange of professional experience, establishment of partnerships, and unification for further cooperation and interaction.
