Ukrainian Father & Son Protect the Home Front

“The Games of Heroes” is the theme for the 2025 World Police and Fire Games to be hosted by Birmingham Alabama. There were no bigger heroes attending the 2023 Games in Winnipeg than the small but proud team from the Ukraine, who received an extended standing ovation when they marched into the Opening Ceremony.

The Birmingham team was surprised to meet father and son first responders who serve there. Oleg Kavalov (on right) is now retired from the Kharkiv Police, but his son Anton now serves with the department in the war-torn country. Both have been busy helping keep order on their perilous home front. 

“The Russians are very close,” Oleg said tersely. “But we made it here to play ice hockey for Ukraine.” 

The Dynamo Kharkiv Police ice hockey team narrowly missed the medal stand in Winnipeg with Canadian teams sweeping the top three places. But you can’t feel too bad about losing to Canadians playing their national sport at home. “We are here to enjoy time with our fellow police and firefighters,” Anton remarked. “It’s very dangerous work for us every day, saving people. But we have to represent and remind people what is going on.”

Birmingham will welcome the Ukrainians to the 2025 World Police and Fire Games with open arms!

Note: Russia is currently banned from WPFG competition.

By Del Moon