On January 27, 2026, the Sumy National Agrarian University sports complex hosted the SNAU Rector’s Cup sports competition, which brought together representatives of the university’s staff and professional colleges. The event was an important occasion for the university community in the context of full-scale war, when corporate unity, mutual support, and maintaining a positive morale are of particular importance.
The competition was also a manifestation of deep respect and gratitude to the defenders of Ukraine, who fight every day to protect the independence and territorial integrity of the state. The participants paid special tribute to those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom. It is thanks to their sacrifice that Ukrainians are able to live, study, and work in a free country.
Teams representing Sumy National Agrarian University, Hlukhiv Agricultural Technical College of SNAU, Malovystoropsky College of SNAU named after Pavlo Rybalko, Okhtyrka Vocational College of SNAU, Romny Vocational College of SNAU, and Sumy Vocational College of SNAU.
Participants competed in volleyball, darts, table tennis, chess, and arm wrestling, demonstrating their athletic skills, endurance, and desire to win.
During the formal part of the event, the rector of SNAU presented an award to Viktor SERGIENKO, executive secretary of the admissions committee and permanent member of the SNAU volleyball team, for his worthy representation of the university community in sports competitions, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and significant contribution to the development of the university’s sports culture.
The Rector also expressed his gratitude to Viktor HOLOLOBOV, head of the cycle commission of physical education and defense of Ukraine teachers at the Hlukhiv Agricultural Technical College of the Sumy National Agrarian University, for his dedication to sporting traditions, high professionalism, and personal contribution to the development of sports culture among students.
According to the results of the arm wrestling competition, Serhiy BABKIN took the third place, Ivan
STEPCHENKO took the second place, and Andriy UDOVICHENKO became the winner.
In chess competitions, Vadym POKOTYLO won the third place, Yaroslav KELBAS won the second place, and
Viacheslav PYLYPENKO won the first place.
In the darts competition, Lilia KARPENKO took third place, Oksana NEZHENETS took second place, and Alla NIZEVA was the winner.
Among the men in table tennis, Alexander GUBA took the third place, Mykola GORPYNCHENKO took the second place, and Ihor HOLOVACH took the first place.
The sports festival culminated in volleyball competitions and an awards ceremony for the winning teams. After an intense and spectacular battle, the third place went to the team from the Malovystoropsky Professional College of the Sumy National Agrarian University, while the second place went to the team from the Sumy National Agrarian University. The winner of the competition and holder of the Sumy National Agrarian University Rector’s Cup was the team from the Hlukhiv Agricultural Technical College of the Sumy National Agrarian University.
The SNAU Rector’s Cup once again confirmed that sport is an important factor in uniting the university community, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and maintaining moral stability in difficult times for the country.
