Motion to Dismiss Youth and Sports Minister
A draft resolution calling for the dismissal of Ukraine's Minister of Youth and Sports, Matvii Bidnyi, has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada. The proposal was submitted on April 7, 2026, by Yurii Pavlenko, a member of parliament from the Platform for Life and Peace party. Bidnyi was originally appointed to his ministerial role on September 5, 2024, receiving 239 votes in favor from lawmakers. This move comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of government officials in Ukraine's political landscape.
Matvii Bidnyi brings extensive experience in physical culture and sports to the role. From 2016 to 2020, he served as director of the department of physical culture and non-Olympic sports within the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Following this, on July 15, 2020, he was appointed Deputy Minister, and later became acting minister after the resignation of Vadym Huttsait.
Context: The Russian Chess Federation Case
The recent move follows a significant ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ordered the Russian Chess Federation (RCF) to cease all activities in five regions of Ukraine. Under Bidnyi's leadership, the Ministry of Youth and Sports allocated funds to cover the court fee of 40,000 Swiss francs (approximately $50,000). Minister Bidnyi commented on the ministry's involvement, stating:
'We adopted a separate government resolution that allows for providing legal support and filing lawsuits in international sports arbitration in the interests of our federations. In this specific case, the Ministry of Youth and Sports was able to allocate funds to pay the court fee.'
Bidnyi also emphasized the broader significance of the CAS decision:
'From a sporting perspective, this case reinforces the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine's lands. Accordingly, the chess federation of the aggressor country is prohibited from conducting any activity in the occupied territories. I believe this is a very important and correct case that should now be developed and solidified across all international federations.'
The push for Bidnyi's dismissal may signal shifting political dynamics, as a minister who actively worked on international sports law issues has now become a target for criticism. A key aspect of his tenure involved safeguarding the rights and interests of Ukrainian sports federations internationally, particularly regarding sanctions against Russian entities. The CAS ruling underscores the importance of legal mechanisms in defending Ukraine's territorial integrity within global sports, which could influence future government initiatives in this arena.
The situation surrounding Matvii Bidnyi's potential dismissal is further complicated by recent developments in international sports law. Notably, the Russian Chess Federation's suspension of activities in occupied Ukrainian regions has drawn significant attention. This ruling highlights the ongoing tensions in sports governance and underscores the challenges faced by officials like Bidnyi in navigating these complex issues.