AZS UG Sports Section for People with Disabilities

Photo: AZS UG archives.

It was created in response to the development of the AZS Polish Integration Championships, an initiative aimed at activating people with disabilities in the academic environment. - 'After all, AZS means Atmosphere, Fun and Sport. We want to show that disability does not exclude you from a great adventure during your studies,' says Małgorzata Aftańska, a trainer of the AZS UG Sports Section for People with Disabilities.

The AZS UG Sports Section for People with Disabilities was established at the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year as an answer to the dynamically developing cycle of the AZS Polish Integration Championships. For years, the Centre for Physical Education and Sport has been running rehabilitation classes for university students as part of the Physical Education course.

- 'By creating the AZS UG Sports Section for People with Disabilities in the AZS University Club, we want to show that sports competition is also possible in this area. However, we must remember that it is not about medals, but about overcoming one's own weaknesses. We want to get people with disabilities out of their homes and give them the opportunity for mutual integration and realisation of their sporting passions,' - says Małgorzata Aftańska, a coach of the AZS University Sports Section for People with Disabilities.

The offer of disciplines is rich and growing all the time. National rivalry is already taking place in swimming, badminton, tennis and track and field: Swimming, Badminton, Bocci, Bowling, Shooting, Chess, Goalball, Sailing or Skiing and Snowboarding.

Both students and employees of the University of Gdańsk who have a disability certificate can participate in the SON AZS UG section training. Currently, the section conducts regular training in table tennis, shooting sports and swimming.

- 'The diversity of people with disabilities is wide, hence it is important to adopt an individual approach and adjust training measures to make use of the sporting potential of our students, and that is what we are currently focusing on,' - adds Małgorzata Aftańska. - 'We can already see that IMPs are not just competitions, it is in a way a great sporting break. Overcoming our own limitations is a great victory for us.'.

Anyone interested in joining the section is asked to contact the tutor by e-mail: malgorzata.aftanska@ug.edu.pl.

Fot. Archiwum AZS UG
Elżbieta Michalak-Witkowska/Press Office of University of Gdańsk