We received an invitation from PCAND (Cerebral Paralysis National Sports Association) and we didn't hesitate. Between the 10th and 13th of July, Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim (HLPV) was present at the Póvoa de Varzim 2023 World Boccia Youth Championship, supporting the approximately 50 athletes who participated in this world championship, in the city’s municipal pavilion. Being the first World Boccia Championship dedicated exclusively to young athletes, between 14 and 22 years old, Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim highlighted two nurses, who were permanently on site in shifts to provide more immediate support to the athletes during the four days that lasted this championship. These nurses, Bruna Atilano and José Pedro Gonçalves, in addition to providing first aid, were also responsible for referring those who needed hospital care to the HLPV Urgent Care, where doctors Pedro Coutinho and Lia Ramos, coordinators of the Hospital's Adult and Pediatric UA respectively. Participating in this Póvoa de Varzim 2023 World Boccia Youth Championship were 50 athletes aged between 14 and 22 from 12 countries. It is organized by PCAND, with the support of the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth, the Portuguese Federation of Sports for People with Disabilities, and the Municipality of Póvoa de Varzim. In 2022, and at the request of PCAND, Hospital da Luz placed a nursing team to carry out the COVID-19 tests, at the time mandatory for all participants in this type of sporting event. Boccia is a Paralympic sport, recognized by official entities worldwide as a high-competition sport. It originated in ancient Greece and developed over the centuries to give rise to a wide range of games, of which bowling and petanca stand out. It was introduced in Portugal in 1983, during a course organized by the APPC (Portuguese Cerebral Palsy Association), in close collaboration with CP-ISRA (International Association of Sports and Recreation for Cerebral Palsy). Once again Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim could not fail to support such a special sporting event. Whenever the community needs it, we are there!
