Abu Dhabi: When the Soviet Union broke up in the early 1990s, Ukraine was one of the newly-formed countries faced with myriad problems. At that stage, it was so easy for Sergei Bubka, one the world's greatest athletes, to relocate and pursue his interests, but the man who rewrote 35 world records decided to set base in Donetsk and pay back.
"It was the period of Perestroika, Ukraine had become independent and I saw a lot of problems for kids to pursue sport. Families suffered financially and kids did not have proper equipment," said the 52-year-old who, still holds both the indoor and outdoor pole-vaulting marks of 20 feet 2 inches (6.146 metres) and 20 feet 1 3/4 inches (6.141 metres), respectively.
Goal
"Kids had no sport uniform and equipment to practice sport. This is one of the reasons I decided to do something for sport. And to help kids achieve their goal in sport," said Bubka, whose Sergei Bubka Sports Club marked 20 years earlier this month.
"I can never forget my past. Donetsk was my home city since I moved in there at 15. I grew and developed my career there so it was fair I do something for my region, my country," said Bubka, who won six consecutive world championships and an Olympic gold medal. "We have seven coaches, 200 children doing athletics and we some achievements," Bubka, who is head of his country's National Olympic Committee, said.
Bubka strongly feels that just money and effort will not be able to create champions.
"You need to get kids who have some talent and the interest. And when great legends like those in Laureus come together this interest can be kindled," he said.
No substitute
"Children now a days play a lot of sport on computers and other toy games. But there is no substitute to sport on the field. Also in the past children used to play sport to become great players. Now-a-days many parents push their children to take up certain sport just because they can get rich. But basic talent is a must for kids to take up any sport," Bubka said.
Looking back at his career, Bubka said, "I did have some rivals who did push me. But I just wanted to be better today than yesterday. I also never put any limits. When I started, I never though I would jump six metres and 6.10 metre and 6.15 metre. It helped me that I never set any limit to my goals. It was a lot of hard work and I was very professional, may be," said the man who dominated the pole vault event like no one ever did before him.
