SPORT Inclusion

💙 Every athlete deserves the chance to shine.

For people with intellectual disabilities, sport is more than competition - it is a pathway to confidence, independence, friendship, and belonging. Every training session and every competition proves that ability is far greater than disability.

The Special Olympics World Games celebrate not only athletic achievement, but also courage, determination, and the power of inclusion. Their impact extends far beyond the playing field, strengthening families, inspiring communities, and breaking down stereotypes.

Together, we can build a world where everyone has the opportunity to participate, thrive, and be celebrated through sport.

📖 Read more: https://specialolympicspilipinas.org/blog/empowered-athletes-with-intellectual-disabilities/

🌟 Changing Society by Changing Attitudes

When society underestimates people with intellectual disabilities, we all lose - missed opportunities, missed friendships, missed potential. That's exactly why Special Olympics exists: to show the world what's truly possible. Through sport, athletes break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and prove their skills, strength, and leadership every single day. From Unified Sports teams to global events, people with and without intellectual disabilities come together - not just to play, but to understand, respect, and grow.

They are athletes.
They are leaders.
They are changemakers.

Inclusion starts with awareness, but it grows through connection. Let's choose to see ability over limitation. 💙

Read more: https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/impact/changing-society-by-changing-attitudes

⚽ Sport changes lives. Builds confidence. Connects communities. 🌍💙

From 13 to 15 May, Sofia hosted the international forum “Moving Together: Sport for Youth Empowerment”, organized by the SALTO resource centres of the European Commission and Bulgarian Agency. The event brought together youth workers, sport organisations and Erasmus+ beneficiaries from across Europe to explore how sport can empower young people and strengthen communities.

Bulgarian Sports Development Association (BSDA) took active part in the forum through Joanna Dochevska, Ivelina Kirilova and Special Olympics World Games medalist Nina Al Rifai, who inspired participants with her personal story about the power of sport to transform lives. ✨

During the event, BSDA also moderated the session “Sport and Community Engagement” and presented the initiative, promoting inclusion and equal opportunities through sport for people with intellectual disabilities. 🤝

👉 More information:
https://sportinclusion.org/2026/05/26/sport-at-international-conference/

#SPORT at international conference From 13 to 15 May 2026, the international event “Moving Together: Sport for Youth Empowerment” took place in Sofia, focusing on the role of sport and physical activity in youth work, the promotion …

💙 Inspired by Special Olympics

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

The Special Olympics reminds us that success is not just about winning - it’s about courage, effort, and showing up every single time.

Every athlete proves that bravery matters more than the result. A powerful lesson for all of us.

✨ Be bold.
✨ Keep trying.
✨ Celebrate the effort.

🔗 Read more: https://www.getnamenecklace.com/blog/12-most-inspirational-quotes-for-the-special-olympics/?srsltid=AfmBOopQJarhmZdTCaVIMRybcjhhmfFgaVlq-gxS4-W9DcoiBO6e3SJc

🌍 When sport brings people together, there are no boundaries 💪

Kardzhali became a place of connection, new experiences and real emotions - where sport was not just an activity, but a way to discover yourself and others. 💫

Every moment of the camp brought something more - confidence, friendships and the courage to take the next step.

🎥 Watch the moments: https://youtu.be/eSaeSBCx3PQ?si=WWr1jrAKMvtQFjfC

Bulsport ARBS

💛 More than a camp. A shared experience. 🇪🇺

Camp in Kardzhali brought together athletes with intellectual disabilities from Bulgaria 🇧🇬 and Türkiye 🇹🇷 - building friendships, confidence and a true sense of belonging through sport 🤝

From the field to the pool, from first steps abroad to new connections - these are the moments that stay.

🎥 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/8uqkUKrhOPU?si=rZsovq0-vnkoQWMS

Bulsport ARBS

💛 Sport as a space for inclusion 🤝

Kardzhali hosted the international camp 🏅, bringing together young people with intellectual disabilities from Bulgaria 🇧🇬 and Türkiye 🇹🇷 in a shared space of movement, connection, and new friendships. For some of them, this was their first time leaving their country – an experience that truly matters ✨

The initiative is the result of strong cooperation between organizations from both countries 🤝, with the support of local authorities in Kardzhali and Dzhebel 🏛️, the engagement of the educational, sport and civil sectors 🎓🏅🌍, as well as the support of Bulgarian diplomacy 🇧🇬. The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union 🇪🇺

When different sectors come together, sport becomes a tool for real change 💪

🔗 More information via Focus News Agency (Bulgaria): https://www.focus-news.net/sport/2947520.html

България бе домакин на международен спортен лагер за хора с интелектуални затруднения Кърджали бе домакин на международен лагер за хора с интелектуални затруднения, реализиран в рамките ...

💛 When sport brings people together, borders disappear 💪

The international SPORT Inclusion camp in Kardzhali brought together young people with intellectual disabilities from Bulgaria and Türkiye in a shared space of sport, friendship, and belonging. For some, this was their first step beyond their everyday reality - and it truly mattered.

Behind this stands a strong collaboration - partnerships between organizations from both countries, the support of local authorities in Kardzhali and Dzhebel, the engagement of the educational, sport and civil sectors, as well as the support of Bulgarian diplomacy, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

Because when everyone works together, sport becomes more than an activity - it becomes an opportunity.

🔗 More information via Cross News Agency (Bulgaria): https://www.cross.bg/kurdzhali-sportni-sport-1794130.html

#SPORT без граници - приобщаващ международен спортен лагер в Кърджали /КРОСС/ Кърджали се превърна в сцена на едно от най-вдъхновяващите приобщаващи спортни събития в региона - международен лагер за хора с интелектуални

🌊 The day sport met emotion 🇧🇬🇹🇷🇪🇺

The second day of the camp continued at the new swimming complex in Djebel, where participants took part in adapted swimming activities and water games, filled with smiles, confidence, and shared achievements. 🏊‍♂️✨

The camp is implemented in partnership between the Bulgarian Sports Development Association and Kargenc Club, hosted by SC “Sunny Kids” - Kurdzali, with participants accommodated at “Makaza” complex. The initiative is carried out with the active collaboration of the municipalities of Kurdzali and Djebel, which stand behind the cause of inclusion through sport, as well as with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Türkiye. The - Strengthening Potentials through Opportunities, Respect, and Team-spirit camp is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and continues to prove that sport is a powerful tool for inclusion and social change.