My name is Ivan Kurets. I am 18 years old. I gave 14 years of my life to sport — I played hockey professionally, played in the national team.
Since summer 2020 I actively participated in rallies and marches against election fraud and violence. I gave an open interview for the “Tribuna”, where I expressed my independent opinion about the behind-the-scenes and real life of hockey club “Yunost”. After that I was forced to quit hockey, because D.Y. Baskov began to exert moral pressure on me and kicked me out of the club without the right to play in Belarus.
After my interview, people in masks came to me. At that moment I was on crutches with a broken leg. It was not a surprise for them. They gave me a “conversation” and left. Then other “officers” came and gave me a summons. At the same time I took the CT for admission to pedagogical university. When I came to find out the results — I was immediately sent to the rector. The rector made it clear to me that he would not give the results of admission on the “instruction from above.
In Belarus they didn't give me an opportunity to enter or play. The clubs said that they wanted to take me, but they wouldn't be able to apply, because Baskov wouldn't let me play and the federation wouldn't let me play in the championship.
The military enlistment office made fun of me: they suggested that I join the "internal troops" or the "special forces". I started hiding from the army. I could have gone to university and had a sports degree that could have helped me get in, but they blocked my path.
I want to try to continue doing what I love — playing hockey and studying.
How much is needed?
1500€ — moving to another country, rent and food for the first time, family support during my absence.