The Kiev polytechnic institute from the date of the basis always was the first in different spheres: to science and technology, culture and sport. The bright mark was in the history left by graduates and teachers of KPI - outstanding scientists with a world name, heads of many industries, scientific institutes and so forth.
Also the KPI left many famous cultural figures and outstanding athletes. At our institute in 1962 (54 years ago!) At the initiative of the student of the 2nd course of faculty of automatic equipment and instrument making, and nowadays professor of Institute of the international relations Valentin Nikolaevich Honin, also the first in Ukraine has formed rugby the team which has received the name "Politekhnik". Let's notice that the Ukrainian rugby has arisen in KPI, there were no accidents, rugby along with judo is recognized as intellectual sport activities.
For the entire period of existence of team its frame was made by students, teachers and the staff of institute. And today for the NTUU "KPI of Igor Sikorsky" veteran teams and Ukraine, as well as at the time of their youth, play professor of MMI Victor Stanislavovich Mayboroda, the deputy first vice rector professor Sergey Petrovich, the teacher of FBMI the candidate of pedagogical sciences Alexander Sergeyevich Sabirov, the honored trainer Ukraine Leonid Vladimirovich Denbnovetsky, the first president of Federation of rugby of Ukraine Vladimir Nikolaevich Ukrainsky and others. The present college team of Politekhnik carries on nice rugby traditions of university and represents it at the highest level in the country - in a superleague of the championship of Ukraine on rugby.
In the summer of this year rugby players of KPI became also the first in Ukraine who has honored memory of the founder of world rugby William Webb Ellis on the place of his burial.
At the ancient Russian cemetery of the French resort town of Manton which is located in French riviera and one borders on the Principality of Monaco and Italy, among other burials, there is one grave that looks somewhat different than the others. It's decorated not only with flowers, but also memorable plates, oval balls, pennants and other sports attributes. On a tombstone the inscription is cut: "Let this board remind of great acts of William Webb Ellis, the first who has dared to violate rules was seized by a ball with hands and has run with him. There was a rugby game in 1823". Here ashes of the famous Englishman who has presented to the world one of the most popular, bright, spectacular and courageous sports are based. Here often athletes from the different countries visit to bow to the founder of a game in an oval ball. Even at the entrance at the cemetery the monument to this legendary person identical to his sculpture with a ball in the territory of college of the city of Rugby of the county Yorkshire where the 17-year-old student Webb Ellis has offered new rules of the game in a ball 193 years ago is established.
On November 24 this year the 210 anniversary since the birth of William Webb Ellis is celebrated. At the initiative of the graduate of KPI, one of the leading team players of Politekhnik of the 70-80th years, the Master of Sports of the USSR in rugby Alexander of convolutions in honor of this significant date the memorial marble board has been made . In July, 2016 she has been established on the place of burial.
Now near French, English and New Zealand memorial boards on Webb Ellis's grave also ours has appeared. On her gold letters have cut words of deep respect to the pioneer of rugby William Webb Ellis from rugby players of Ukraine.