TİKA Supports the Paralympic Sport of BOCCIA in Azerbaijan

In order to support the development of the Paralympic sport of BOCCIA in Azerbaijan, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) delivered 10 battery operated wheelchairs, a portable Boccia field, Boccia ramps and Boccia balls to the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan.  

To promote the social integration of disadvantaged groups such as disabled young people and to offer rehabilitation through sports, TİKA continues its activities in Azerbaijan. With the project, “The Development of Boccia in Azerbaijan” TİKA comes up with yet another endeavor for the social integration of the disadvantaged groups. 

In the recent years, independent federations are being established in many countries and Boccia is gaining momentum as a Paralympic sport, which targets the rehabilitation of disabled young people through sports. Boccia can be played by people that have various levels of physical disabilities, as well as disabled young people who are considered severely handicapped due to maladies such as polio, muscle atrophy, and brain trauma. It requires physical strength and mental effort.

With TİKA’s support, and through a collaboration between the Turkish Sports Federation for the Disabled and National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan, an exhibition game was played between Turkish and Azerbaijani National Boccia Teams to raise awareness on the social integration of disabled individuals, and to develop and promote Boccia as a sport in Azerbaijan. After the event, 10 battery operated wheelchairs, a portable Boccia field, Boccia ramps and Boccia balls that were provided by TİKA were delivered to the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan.

The exhibition game played in Baku was attended by the Republic of Azerbaijan Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Salim Muslumov, the Republic of Turkey Baku Ambassador Erkan Özoral, President of the National Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan Ilgar Rahimov, TİKA officials, and MPs from Azerbaijan.

After the final competitions between Azerbaijani and Turkish para-athletes, Minister Muslumov, who was present at the event, thanked TİKA and the Republic of Turkey for their support to the people with disabilities in Azerbaijan. Minister Muslumov expressed his gratitude to Turkey for supporting Azerbaijan, as it does on all issues, on the reintegration of the disadvantaged groups back into the society. Attending the event, Ambassador Özoral congratulated TİKA for its efforts on this issue, which requires support and attention. After the speeches, the winners of the competition were given their presents and cups.