Gazprom Pererabotka Blagoveshchensk assists development of Paralympic sport that helps children with severe cerebral palsy in their rehabilitation in Svobodny

November 21, 2022 15:39

Bez Baryerov (Without Barriers) psychosocial support centre offers classes in the Paralympic sport of boccia for children with disabilities in Svobodny. This initiative is supported by Gazprom Pererabotka Blagoveshchensk (investor, owner and operator of the Amur GPP) and the administration of Svobodny.

The classes are held every Sunday. The training begins with a warm-up and a mandatory safety briefing. After that, the coach reminds the rules and motivates the teams for the game.
«Boccia is one of the few sports that helps children with disabilities, including children with cerebral palsy, to play and improve their health. Thanks to the help of our partners, children can train, improve their sense of direction, develop their eyesight, dexterity and accuracy, and they can just communicate with each other,» says Patimat Bagomedova, Director of Bez Baryerov psychosocial support centre.
Boccia has been a Paralympic sport since 1984. This is a precision game with a set of balls: six blue ones, six red ones and one white or yellow one. In this game, players try to bring the balls of their colour as close as possible to the white ball. Boccia is suitable for people with the most severe forms of central nervous system damage and spinal injuries. This game affects the physical development and condition of the players' bodies, their mood and self-awareness. Playing boccia regularly develops dexterity, accuracy, endurance, physical coordination and helps to think tactically.