Póvoa de Varzim was up to the title it is already known for – the Portuguese capital of boccia –, with athletes from all over the world competing in the Municipal Sports Hall, between the 9 and 15 July, in another world championship of the modality. Throughout a week, the playing teams counted permanently with the clinical assistance of a nursing team from Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim, which is a partner of the event since 2022. Póvoa de Varzim 2024 World Boccia Cup: Was organized by PCAND (Cerebral Palsy – National Sports Association) and World Boccia, in collaboration with the Portuguese Federation of Sports for Persons with Disabilities, and the Portuguese Institute of Youth and Sports. t counted with the participation of 89 athletes coming from 25 countries, including some of the top world players in the modality. In all, it involved over 400 actors, between athletes, sports assistants, trainers and other technicians, referees, classifiers, organizing committee, partners and volunteers. In the singles competitions, Portugal placed several athletes on the podium, namely, Cristina Gonçalves (1st in BC2), José Gonçalves P. Correia (1st in BC3), André Ramos (2nd in BC1) and David Araújo (2nd in BC2). The Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim comprised nurses Ana Campos, Ana Novo, Ana Teresa Queirós, Bruna Silva, Joana Moutinho, Laeticia Soares, Paula Ponte, Paulo Alves, Roberto Fernandez and Sara Batista. They were permanently at the scene, by shifts, providing more immediate support to athletes during the championship, besides forwarding to Urgent Assistance at Hospital da Luz those who needed hospital care. In the photo above, nurse Ana Novo with the whole Portugal team. Hospital da Luz could not miss such a special sports event and thanks the organization for the invitation to join once again this initiative. The support to sports events and institutions is a valuable means for us to fulfil one important mission of ours: to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent disease, which includes the practise of sport in all safety.
