Many athletes prove that sport knows no limits. One of them is Domagoj Glazar, a Croatian university chess champion. But he is special champion because he is student with disabilities.
Domagoj played chess for many years and he confirmed his experience qualifying to the World Universities Chess Championship in Bratislava. As a student of Economics, he played for the University of Zagreb at UniSport Finals and won 2nd place with his team.
European Universities Games in Zagreb – Rijeka in 2016 will bring sports for athletes with disabilities for the first time to the European Universities Games. Two sports will be introduced – swimming and table tennis. Domagoj supports this initiative emphasizing that people with disabilities should be more involved in sports activities.
“Let’s just say that I am the only one at this competition, so it would be great to attract them as much as possible. Especially in swimming where people with disabilities can come to the fore because they have no barriers or obstacles in the water. I played table tennis in high school and that is also a great sport”. Domagoj cheerfully added: “It would be great to make this project successful so we can all race in the hallways”.
Recalling the professor who taught him how to play chess, he noticed that the main problem is a lack of experts. “When he left, chess disappeared. I have my family and friends who are there for me when I need help, because you cannot do everything alone. But what is necessary in any case scenario is the professional staff, without them nothing works”, said Domagoj.
He participated in many competitions so he commented on conditions of accommodation and sports venues: “The premises are not fully adapted. There could be done so much more. But that is how it is”. However, with an incredible sense of humour, he showed that things are not so bad and he revealed a positive side of such circumstances: “My friends can lose pounds while they push me up the hill.”
Because of these young and promising people, EUG 2016 joyfully expects all athletes in hope that this manifestation will open many doors at other sports events.
