Liguria to host European Para Youth Games

“These Games will provide young athletes with a unique experience and for many it will be the first step on the road to Tokyo and great international performances.”

Liguria, Italy, will host the 2017 European Para Youth Games from 9-15 October, when 11 sports will be contested.

Among the sports are archery, athletics, boccia, football 5-a-side, football 7-a-side, goalball, judo, table tennis, sitting volleyball and swimming. Sailing will also be included for the first time.

After learning their sport would be sanctioned for the Games, Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed) Operations Manager and Chair of the BISFed Competition Committee, Dom Tremblay, said: “These Games will provide young athletes with a unique experience and for many it will be the first step on the road to Tokyo and great international performances that we hope will lead them to the Paralympic Games.”

Organised by the European Paralympic Committee in partnership with the Italian Paralympic Committee, the European Para Youth Games aim to develop younger athletes toward elite competition.

Athletes must be at least 12 years of age to compete.

The last European Para Youth Games were held in 2015 in Varazdin, Croatia, where five sports were contested.

More information on the 2017 European Para Youth Games can be found on the event website and Facebook page.