On April 25, 2025, Park Hotel Vitosha in Sofia hosted an insightful workshop titled Accessibility in Sports, as part of the Keep The Ball Rolling – KBR project. This initiative, co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Sports Programme (ERASMUS-SPORT-2024-SNCESE), brings together seven partner organizations from six Programme countries—Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Romania, Serbia, and Türkiye—working toward making sports more inclusive for all.
Leading the discussion was Jaklin Zlatanova, a respected Bulgarian basketball player recognized not only for her achievements on the court but also for her advocacy for greater accessibility and inclusivity in sports. Zlatanova’s experience as a professional athlete has given her firsthand insight into the challenges athletes face due to physical, financial, and infrastructural barriers.
Key Themes of the Workshop
The discussion focused on enhancing accessibility in sports, particularly through the lens of an upcoming 3×3 wheelchair basketball event. The team confirmed travel plans to Türkiye, discussing logistics such as transportation and accommodation, while emphasizing the importance of adhering to the budget outlined in the MOU.
The participants presented on the critical need for accessibility, identifying challenges such as physical barriers and social attitudes, and providing a historical overview of adaptive sports, including key milestones like the Paralympic movement.
The transformative impact of technology on accessibility was also explored, with examples of innovative equipment and training methodologies for athletes with disabilities. Inspiring stories of three athletes from the Paris Paralympics were shared, demonstrating the significance of inclusive programs in empowering individuals with disabilities and promoting their participation in sports.
Technological Advancements & Policies in Sports Accessibility
The discussion outlined how technological innovations have revolutionized sports accessibility, improving equipment and training methods for athletes with disabilities. Leading companies, like BMW, have played a significant role in developing specialized sports gear, and individualized training methodologies have emerged to better support adaptive athletes.
Additionally, the need for effective policies to ensure equal opportunities and protect athletes’ rights was emphasized, reinforcing the importance of structural changes at both national and international levels.
Celebrating Inspirational Athletes in the Paralympics
The inspiring stories of three remarkable athletes were shared:
- Femita Ayambeku, who qualified for the Paralympics shortly after giving birth.
- Aurélie Aubert, an advocate for boccia in France, honored with the French Legion of Honor.
- Gabriela Araujo, a swimmer who won three gold medals and embraced the nickname “Rocket Man”.
Their achievements underscore the importance of accessibility in sports and the impact of adaptive athletes on their communities.
Planning for Upcoming Events & Logistics
The dissemination plan for the Keep The Ball Rolling – KBR project was praised, recognizing basketball’s importance for youth engagement. The team discussed their schedule for the upcoming 3×3 wheelchair basketball event, highlighting the need to arrive in Türkiye by April 16, with activities scheduled for April 17 and 18.
Other logistical discussions included:
- Transportation from the airport and to event locations.
- Accommodation arrangements for participants.
- Coordination of transport between hotels and the gym.
Advancing Accessibility in Sports With projects like Keep The Ball Rolling – KBR, uniting six Programme countries and seven international partners, accessibility in sports is not just an aspiration—it is an active movement toward breaking barriers, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that every athlete, regardless of ability, has access to competitive and recreational sports
