Български
BeInclusiveWaterPolo
#BeInclusiveWaterPolo – Bulgaria triumphs in Rijeka
26.04.2025
From April 22 to 26, 2025, the city of Rijeka, Croatia, hosted a unique international event under the #BeInclusiveWaterPolo project, co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. The event was organized by the Sports Association for People with Disabilities in Rijeka, in partnership with Bulgarian sports development association and the Bulgarian Swimmers Association. The gathering showcased the power of inclusive sports to bring people together, break down stereotypes, and promote equal opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The #BeInclusiveWaterPolo initiative introduces a new, dynamic approach to adapted sports. Inclusive water polo allows people with intellectual disabilities to participate in team sports alongside peers with similar abilities. This creates a fun and balanced competitive environment that eliminates prejudice and fosters meaningful integration through physical activity. The concept was first introduced at the Special Olympics Malta in 2022, and its success inspired continued cross-border collaboration.
Young Bulgarian water polo players achieved both a win and a draw in friendly matches with their Croatian partners in Rijeka. The day before the matches, the two teams held a joint training session. The games followed a format adapted to the participants’ abilities. The first match ended in a 6:6 draw, and in the second, the Bulgarian team claimed victory with a score of 12:6. The Bulgarian team included: Kristina Dimova, Teodor Aleksiev, Angel Boyadzhiev, Adrian Danchev, Atanas Sankijski, Radostin Grozdanov, Rosen Varadinov, Anton Kostadinov, Valentin Todichkov, Ioanis Archontis, and Denislav Zlatanov. The coaches accompanying the team were Alexander Alexandrov and Petar Shopov, with training in Bulgaria led by Ivaylo Zdravkov. Support was provided by students from the “APAS” program at the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski”: Nikoleta Stefanova, Nikol Georgieva, Viktoria Spasova, Dusho Radev, Slavi Dikov, Nikola Pavlov and Simeon Kamburov.
After the matches, all athletes received medals, certificates, and trophies, and the Bulgarian team celebrated their victory with chants and the iconic Queen anthem "We Are the Champions”. The Rijeka participation was the result of a year of intensive inclusive water polo training held at the 131st Secondary School “Kliment Arkadievich Timiryazev” at the base of Support Centre for Personal Development – Sports School "Sofia", with the involvement of the SC “Adapted Sports” and experts from NSA: Assoc. Prof. Stefka Dzhobova and Assoc. Prof. Velichka Alexandrova.
The agenda in Rijeka combined practical training with cultural exploration. On the first day, participants arrived and received a warm welcome at the hotel. The second day included a visit to Art Kvart “Kids House”, followed by a training session at the Kantrida pool and a guided walk through the historic Trsat district. The third day offered a stroll along the pedestrian street Korzo and concluded with a friendly water polo match at the Kantrida pool, along with a visit to the seaside town of Opatija. The final day featured a joint sports training session and an unforgettable trip to Hum – the smallest town in the world – before the teams departed.
The project aims not only to provide a high-quality inclusive sports experience but also to deliver practical tools and resources for sustainability and scaling. As part of the activities, a #BeInclusiveWaterPolo handbook will be published, sharing the tested methodology so that sports clubs across the EU can implement inclusive water polo programs. A digital platform at www.mywaterpolo.org will offer online versions of the handbook, as well as instructional videos and inclusion guidelines.
The #BeInclusiveWaterPolo project is a clear example of how team sports can be adapted to promote inclusion, build community, and empower everyone – regardless of background or ability – to participate, grow, and enjoy themselves. Through a combination of sportsmanship, collaboration, and innovation, the initiative creates lasting impact in the field of inclusive sport.
Young Bulgarian water polo players achieved both a win and a draw in friendly matches with their Croatian partners in Rijeka. The day before the matches, the two teams held a joint training session. The games followed a format adapted to the participants’ abilities. The first match ended in a 6:6 draw, and in the second, the Bulgarian team claimed victory with a score of 12:6. The Bulgarian team included: Kristina Dimova, Teodor Aleksiev, Angel Boyadzhiev, Adrian Danchev, Atanas Sankijski, Radostin Grozdanov, Rosen Varadinov, Anton Kostadinov, Valentin Todichkov, Ioanis Archontis, and Denislav Zlatanov. The coaches accompanying the team were Alexander Alexandrov and Petar Shopov, with training in Bulgaria led by Ivaylo Zdravkov. Support was provided by students from the “APAS” program at the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski”: Nikoleta Stefanova, Nikol Georgieva, Viktoria Spasova, Dusho Radev, Slavi Dikov, Nikola Pavlov and Simeon Kamburov.
After the matches, all athletes received medals, certificates, and trophies, and the Bulgarian team celebrated their victory with chants and the iconic Queen anthem "We Are the Champions”. The Rijeka participation was the result of a year of intensive inclusive water polo training held at the 131st Secondary School “Kliment Arkadievich Timiryazev” at the base of Support Centre for Personal Development – Sports School "Sofia", with the involvement of the SC “Adapted Sports” and experts from NSA: Assoc. Prof. Stefka Dzhobova and Assoc. Prof. Velichka Alexandrova.
The agenda in Rijeka combined practical training with cultural exploration. On the first day, participants arrived and received a warm welcome at the hotel. The second day included a visit to Art Kvart “Kids House”, followed by a training session at the Kantrida pool and a guided walk through the historic Trsat district. The third day offered a stroll along the pedestrian street Korzo and concluded with a friendly water polo match at the Kantrida pool, along with a visit to the seaside town of Opatija. The final day featured a joint sports training session and an unforgettable trip to Hum – the smallest town in the world – before the teams departed.
The project aims not only to provide a high-quality inclusive sports experience but also to deliver practical tools and resources for sustainability and scaling. As part of the activities, a #BeInclusiveWaterPolo handbook will be published, sharing the tested methodology so that sports clubs across the EU can implement inclusive water polo programs. A digital platform at www.mywaterpolo.org will offer online versions of the handbook, as well as instructional videos and inclusion guidelines.
The #BeInclusiveWaterPolo project is a clear example of how team sports can be adapted to promote inclusion, build community, and empower everyone – regardless of background or ability – to participate, grow, and enjoy themselves. Through a combination of sportsmanship, collaboration, and innovation, the initiative creates lasting impact in the field of inclusive sport.
