Slovenia head coach Bobnar backs EPYG for boosting boccia talent

Slovenia's boccia head coach Maja Bobnar has underlined the importance of the European Para Youth Games for helping to develop young athletes.

Bobnar has overseen a team of three in the boccia competition, including 14-year-old twins Anze and Enej Strazberger.

Anze reached the BC2 mixed gold medal match after beating Slovakia's Nina Melicherova, while his brother, whose semi-final took place on an adjacent court, lost to Eliska Jankechova.

Bobnar looked on at the Cebeci Sports Complex in Istanbul as both players did Slovenia proud, gaining priceless experience in the international arena.

"Boccia is a growing sport in Slovenia," Bobnar said. "The number of players is increasing all the time, and they are all striving to be successful."

Slovenia also has had two Para swimmers and a Para table tennis player in Turkiye, and Bobnar added: "Something like EPYG is very important for these players. It is a first competition of this status for them.

"There are not a lot of opportunities because of things like travel and money, and these Games have been good in terms of not only the competition, but meeting people from other countries.

"They have been very happy to be here and excited to have taken part. Anze and Enej have only been playing boccia for one year, having started at their local club."

The boccia hall attracted a bumper audience on the final day of competition as medallists were decided in four categories.

The sport, which sees each competitor throw red and blue balls with the aim of getting closest to the jack (white ball) often provides intriguing tactical encounters, and EPYG was no exception.

Anze's hopes of gold were dashed by Slovakian Jankechova, who triumphed 5-1, while Portugal's World Championship bronze medallist Rafael Viriato won the BC4 mixed gold and his fellow countryman Francisco Gouveia triumphed in BC1 mixed.

The record-breaking Istanbul 2025 European Para Youth Games officially open on 24 July and run until 27 July. They will feature a record 640 athletes with 1,200 competitors, coaches and team staff from 33 countries, also the biggest ever number, competing in Para archery, Para athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball, Para judo, Para swimming, Para table tennis and Para taekwondo.

Participants will also get to experience the Discovery Programme where they will have the chance to take part in education and experiences in a broad range of topics, including activities designed to immerse the people of Istanbul in EPYG and to get to know Para sport.