SPORT

On June 5, 2025, the athletics track at the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski” was filled with energy, smiles, and genuine joy. The occasion was the inclusive sports event “We Can Too!”, which brought together over 40 participants with intellectual disabilities and 7 contestants from the popular TV show “Desafío”. The event was organized by the “Information and Consultations” Association, which administers the “St. Marina” Center for People with Intellectual Disabilities – Sofia, and Bulgarian sports development association, with the support of the Sofia Municipality – Student District. Athletes from the athletics club “Golden Team” – Svishtov, SEN Sport Sambo for Development, Center for People with Intellectual Disabilities – Pernik, and the SC Adapted Sports took part in the competitions.

On May 21, 2025, the "New Stars" athletics tournament was held at the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski,” organized to a remarkably high standard by the sports club KLASA. The 47th edition of this international tournament featured 100m and 200m adapted start, as well as shot put events, with the participation of 44 athletes with intellectual disabilities.

The #SPORT – Strengthening Potentials through Opportunities, Respect, and Team-spirit project was officially launched with a kick-off meeting on 25th of March 2025 in Sofia, Bulgaria, bringing together key partners from Bulgarian Sports Development Association (BSDA) and Kargenc Club. This gathering marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to advance inclusivity in sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, aiming to create meaningful opportunities for participation, socialization, and personal development through adapted sports activities.

In Sofia, during a training session of the Unified Basketball NSA, Bulgarian sports development association celebrated the World Down Syndrome Day in a special way. More than 40 athletes with intellectual disabilities, along with their partners and coaches, celebrated this special day together by wearing colorful socks – a symbol of diversity, rights, and opportunities for all.

On 6th of March in Brussels, Belgium, the European Parliament hosted the ‘Sports of the Future’ event, bringing together athletes, policymakers, and advocates to discuss the transformative power of sports in promoting social inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities. The event was organized by Nikos Pappas, Member of the European Parliament (MEP), who has been actively involved in promoting equitable access to sports and social inclusion policies across Europe.

On January 23, 2025, representatives of the Bulgarian Sports Development Association (BSDA) participated in the Erasmus+ Sport Kick-Off Event, organized by EACEA. This event marked the official launch of the new Erasmus+ Sport projects set to begin in 2025.

On the 16th of December 2024, the annual edition of the Sport Info Days took place at the European Commission building in Brussels, providing detailed information on the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ sport strand to promote sport and physical activity at local, regional and national level. The event brought together 500 sports experts and was opened by Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport: "Sport is a pillar of inclusion in our societies and democracies, driving positive change for the better.

The SPORT - Strengthening Potentials through Opportunities, Respect, and Team-spirit project is designed to advance inclusivity and accessibility in sports, with a particular emphasis on individuals with intellectual disabilities. It aims to nurture cross-cultural collaboration and the exchange of ideas within the sphere of inclusive sports. Through various activities such as capacity-building workshops tailored for coaches and sports administrators, the project focuses on inclusive sports practices, adapted physical education, and strategies for engaging the community.