Türkiye targeting more goalball success

Goalball has been among Türkiye biggest sporting success stories of the last nine years following a golden spell for the women's team.

And that feelgood factor could show itself at the European Para Youth Games (EPYG) on home ground in Istanbul when Türkiye contest a four-nation round-robin tournament.

After winning Paralympic gold at the Rio Games in 2016 - Türkiye's debut in the women's event - they triumphed again in Tokyo five years later before completing a spectacular hat-trick in Paris a year ago.

The women's team were also crowned 2022 world champions, and are comfortably the sport's top-ranked team, ahead of main rivals like Japan, Brazil, USA and Israel.

Such has been the impact that more than 80 clubs currently play the sport in Türkiye, many of them in an established league, and it is also thriving at under-19 level.

Some of those potential future stars will be among the competitors at Cebeci Sports Complex, and head coach at EPYG Metin Ayhan is relishing the opportunity that the Games present.

"It is the first tine at EPYG, and it is important for us, a really key competition," Ayhan said.

"It is a really big sport in Turkiye, and it is getting more popular. We have a number of divisions that the clubs play in.

"The young players are inspired by having the best women's team in the world, and they want to strive to have the same successes."

Ayhan added: "Goalball players are staring to become known in Türkiye, and the most important thing is for those players who are coming through to continue their development."

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.