I International Hokey ID Santorelli cup

Albena, 26 August 2024 - From 23 to 25 August 2024, K.K. Albena hosted the first international field hockey tournament for people with intellectual disabilities, named the Santorelli Cup. Three teams from Bulgaria, Italy, and Ireland participated in the tournament.

The best Bulgarian field hockey referee, Hristian Vassilev, and his mentor, Nikolay Yanchev, were invited to officiate the matches in this prestigious international tournament.

The event was organized with the support of the Santorelli company, which is also the main sponsor of the tournament, along with the Creators of Hope Foundation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS), and the Bulgarian Field Hockey Federation (BFHH).

Among the official guests of the event were Mr. Michele Santorelli, a representative of the company "Santorelli"; Prof. Antonov, Executive Director of the BFHT; Ms. Desislava Paneva, Senior Expert of the MMS for Varna, Dobrich, and Shumen; as well as Dr. Hristozov from Special Olympics Bulgaria. After contested matches and a lot of emotions, the ranking in the tournament was as follows:

Italy - 1st place - Champions, Bulgaria - 2nd place, Ireland - 3rd place.

The tournament demonstrated how sport can open up new opportunities and create unforgettable experiences for people with intellectual disabilities by providing a platform for competition and social interaction.

This first-of-its-kind event in Bulgaria is a testament to the country's commitment to developing sporting opportunities for people with different abilities.