European Universities Games in Zagreb - Rijeka in 2016 brought sports for athletes with disabilities for the first time to EUSA sports events. Two sports were introduced - para swimming and para table tennis, as well as opening doors to take part in some other sports.

The first sport for students with disabilities on the European Universities Games - Para Table Tennis, has successfully concluded.



Para Table Tennis was played on July 22 and 23, with the awarding ceremony on the last day. The European Universities Champions in Para Table Tennis became in Class 1-4 Danijel Lazov, University of Zagreb (CRO); Class 3-5 Andela Muzinic, University of Zagreb (CRO), Class 6-8 Elias Debeyssac, University of Bordeaux (FRA); and in Class 9-10 Denislav Kodjabashev, National Sports Academy Vasil Levski (BUL).



The medal awards ceremony was carried out together with the abled students category, presented by Mr John Petersson, President of the European Paralympic Committee, Mr Ratko Kovacic, Vice-President of the European Paralympic Committee and President of the Croatian Paralympic Committee, Mrs Mirjana Hruskar, Vice-Rector of the University of Zagreb, Mr Kemal Tamer, EUSA Vice-President and Mr Andrzej Hrehorowicz, EUSA technical delegate for table tennis.



Inclusion and integration of students with disabilities and impairments was a result of cooperation of the European University Sports Association (EUSA), European Paralympic Committee (EPC), Organising Committee of the Games (EUG2016) and other partners. This was the first time this has been implemented in such a way, and proved to be very successful, and desired.

"The integration of para sports at the European University Games is a great evolution. Everybody should get the opportunity to compete, no matter if you are handicapped or not," says proudly para table tennis player Anto Joskic, who represented the University of Zagreb.



EPC President Mr Peterson confirmed: "The organization is great; it’s obvious that everything was well planned, since everything is very close and convenient. Students with disabilities and we from the Committee are happy to be part of this great story."

While swimming, hosted in Rijeka, is the other dedicated sport for para student athletes, we are happy and proud to see students with disabilities taking part also in mind sports at the Games - chess (and bridge), as well as in the organisation of the event as volunteers.

For more information and results, please see www.eug2016.com.