The National Rehabilitation Institute Dr. Adriana Rebaza Flores Friendship Peru-Japan (INR) organized the 2024 Mini Olympics, in which 50 children and adults demonstrated their skills in boccia, takkyu volleyball and tee-ball competitions. , three adapted disciplines introduced thanks to the alliance with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Association of Physiotherapists of Oita (Japan). These will from now on be part of the recovery of the 1,600 patients that the specialized center treats each year.
“Adapted sport not only strengthens the body, but also the spirit. Since the implementation of the program we have noticed more sociable, confident, empathetic children, with better ocular motor coordination and strengthening of muscle mass. We are very grateful for the support of JICA for training us, allowing us to travel to Japan where from experts we learned how we should apply these rehabilitation tools and disciplines in Peru. It is important to comment that this will not only apply to children, but will also apply to adults in the INR,” expressed Dr. Luis Astocaza, coordinator of the INR Adapted Sports Committee, who announced that the INR is working to replicate this model in other centers in the country.
During the event, exciting games of ‘boccia’ (bocce ball) were enjoyed, a game that develops precision where participants sitting in wheelchairs throw the balls with their hands; ‘takkyu volley’, similar to table tennis with rules based on volleyball, and ‘tee-ball’, similar to baseball, but modified to be played without a pitcher, where a batter hits a stationary ball.
It is recognized worldwide that adapted sports are essential for the inclusion of people with disabilities. Even activities such as boccia are part of the Paralympic Games, thus demonstrating their relevance not only in rehabilitation, but also in high competition.
International collaboration model
In February 2022, the INR, the Oita Physiotherapists Association and JICA signed an agreement titled “Project to Strengthen and Promote Sports Leadership for Children with Disabilities in Peru”, the purpose of which was that minors could have opportunities to participate in adapted sports physical activities.
Over almost three years, more than 30 INR professionals from all areas of the institute, such as spinal cord injury, psychomotor development, intellectual deficiencies and social adaptation, have been trained by the Oita Association of Physiotherapists (Japan). This city is considered one of the pioneers in Paralympic sports. Likewise, more than 370 pediatric patients have practiced ‘boccia’, ‘takkyu volley’ and ‘tee-ball’ as part of their therapy and now enjoy activities designed to improve their quality of life and encourage their independence.
In addition to the technical training of adapted sports, the doctors and physiotherapists who traveled to Japan were able to learn about different initiatives in the prefecture of Oita, Japan, such as the triangular alliance between health, education and work; values such as perseverance and order in organizations, which were a great inspiration for his next steps.
