Activities

TV Report: Goalball. How this sport helps to include blind people 

Final conference of the GOALBALL FOR INCLUSION project – sport as a bridge to inclusion

On May 15, 2025, the final conference of the international project Goalball for Inclusion, part of the Erasmus+ SPORT program, was held at the Serdivan Spor Salonu sports hall, Sakarya, Turkey. The event brought together partners, representatives of institutions, coaches and young people united by the cause of inclusion through sport of people with disabilities.

The conference was opened by the hosts from Kargenc Club, who welcomed the participants with an inspiring welcome. Representatives of the Courage Foundation – the coordinator of the project – summarized the main activities and the results achieved during its implementation.

During the event, good practices and local activities carried out by the partners from Bulgaria and Turkey were presented. Specialists from the Regional Center for Educational and Vocational Training – Burgas presented the implemented initiatives at the local level related to the promotion of goalball among children with visual impairments, including the international tournament held in Burgas and the series of training sessions with students and teachers.

The program continued with a training session “What is goalball?” led by Kargenc Club. Participants also had the opportunity to participate in a practical activity, where they tried out basic techniques of this adapted sport.

The day ended with emotional assessments, feedback from the participants and a certificate awarding ceremony. The event not only reinforced the importance of goalball as a tool for social inclusion, but also created new bridges for future cooperation between the partner countries.

The Goalball for Inclusion project proved that when sport meets targeted support and inter-institutional cooperation, the results lead to real change and opportunities for the inclusion of vulnerable groups in society.

Final Conference of "Goalball for Inclusion" Project to Take Place in Türkiye

The final conference of the project GOALBALL FOR INCLUSION (Project No. 101134127), funded under the Erasmus+ Sport 2023-SSCP programme, will be held on May 15, 2025, in Serdivan, Türkiye.

This event marks the culmination of a year-long partnership between organizations from Bulgaria and Türkiye, dedicated to promoting social inclusion through the sport of goalball – a Paralympic sport specifically designed for athletes with visual impairments.

The conference will gather project partners, stakeholders, and university students studying in sports-related fields to share insights, results, and lessons learned from the project. Throughout the day, attendees will participate in presentations of local activities carried out within the project framework, followed by thematic sessions focusing on the role of goalball in psychological and social development.

A key feature of the conference will be an interactive practical session, where students and guests will have the opportunity to experience goalball firsthand. The event aims not only to raise awareness about inclusive sports but also to encourage young people to become active ambassadors of inclusion in their future professional paths.

The conference will conclude with participant feedback, testimonials, and a certificate ceremony.

Venue: Serdivan Spor Salonu
Köprübaşı, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Cd., 54130 Serdivan/Sakarya, Türkiye
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On December 3, 2024, the "Boycho Brunzov" hall in Burgas became the stage for an inspiring international goalball tournament for children with disabilities. Organized under the GOALBALL FOR INCLUSION project within the Erasmus+ programme "ERASMUS-SPORT-2023," the event celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The tournament brought together partners from the Regional Center for Support of Inclusive Education - Burgas (RCPPPO – Burgas), the "Courage" Foundation – Plovdiv, KARGENC CLUB, and Sakarya Youth and Sport from Turkey. This remarkable initiative showcased the unifying power of sports to foster inclusion and transnational collaboration.

The event was graced by the presence of several notable officials, who demonstrated their support for the cause. The tournament also received enthusiastic support from school principals, teachers, parents, and students. Simultaneous translation services provided to ensured seamless communication between participants and guests.

The competition featured four teams. Two teams from Bulgaria participated, the Red Lions and Yellow Tigers, along with two teams from Turkey, Sakarya and Kargenc. All players participated while wearing blindfolds to create equal playing conditions for visually impaired and sighted participants alike. The thrilling matches captivated hundreds of sports enthusiasts, turning the tournament into a joyous celebration of inclusion and teamwork.

The Sakarya team from Turkey emerged victorious, claiming first place. However, all participants were celebrated for their efforts and sportsmanship. Medals, certificates, and material prizes were awarded to every participant, with each team receiving a trophy to commemorate the occasion.

This international goalball tournament was more than just a sporting event—it was a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and the power of collaboration. By breaking barriers and fostering solidarity, the initiative exemplified the values of the Erasmus+ programme. It stands as a shining example of how sports can inspire and unite communities across borders.

On December 2, 2024, a working meeting with the partners of the GOALBALL FOR INCLUSION project took place in Burgas. The meeting was attended by representatives from RCPPPO – Burgas, the "Courage" Foundation – Plovdiv, KARGENC CLUB, and Sakarya Youth and Sport from Turkey. The main objective was to organize and ensure the smooth conduct of the international goalball tournament scheduled for December 3, 2024, at the "Boycho Brunzov" hall in Burgas.

During the meeting, key topics were discussed, including:

• Finalizing the tournament schedule.

• Confirming the participation of four teams: two from Bulgaria and two from Turkey.

• Allocating roles and responsibilities among the partners, including logistics, accommodation, and the provision of sports equipment.

• Planning the award ceremony with medals, trophies, and prizes for participants.

• Ensuring simultaneous translation and implementing safety measures during the event.

The meeting concluded with the creation of a concrete action plan to guarantee the tournament's success. The partners expressed confidence in delivering an event that promotes inclusion and fosters international cooperation through sports.

Our children with visual impairments and their classmates from Burgas have trained in Goalball as part of an Erasmus+ project. The project promotes inclusivity and team spirit, giving everyone the opportunity to participate and have fun together. Let's support our young athletes on this exciting journey!

Introducing the concept of GOALBALL to the participants who will play in a team along with their visually challenged peers. The goal of the presentation is to help them get to know the concept of the game better,  inform them about the rules and the challenges of the game

Information and sportsmanship for the win

Great enthusiasm during our first physical meeting in Sakarya, Turkiye.

The first physical work meeting of the partners within the project GOALBALL FOR INCLUSION, Program "ERASMUS-SPORT-2023" took place in Kargenc Club, Sakarya, Turkiye, from 29 to 30 April.

During the first day of the meeting the partners -  Regional Center - Burgas,  "Courage" Foundation - Plovdiv, Directorate for Youth and Sports "Sakarya" and club "Kargenc", presented their organisations. An introductory presentation was prepared on the activities implemented so far and those upcoming under the project.

The hosts introduced the game Goalball to the participants and with the help of goalball coaches presented the techniques, rules, and the development of the game. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment. The game is played on an enclosed sports field divided in two by a center line. Lines on the field help players orient themselves using ropes attached to the ground with colored paper tape so they can be felt by hand. The game is played with a bell ball. The object of the game is for each team to roll or bounce the ball across the opposing goal line against the opposing team's defense. 

In the afternoon the participants had the opportunity to put what they had learned into practice. Four teams were formed from each of the partners. They marked and built the playing field themselves. After a slight warm up, the teams faced each other to get a feel for the intricacies of throwing the ball, defending the goal and experiencing the joy of scoring the first goal.

The second day was spent in sharing impressions of the game and discussing various issues related to it. The organisation of follow-up activities was also discussed. At the end of the meeting, the participants wished each other fruitful work in the upcoming project engagements.