The World Abilitysport Governing Board met for their second in-person meeting of the year from 22-23 November in Prague, Czechia. Joined by guests NPC Türkiye’s President, Murat Aksu and General Coordinator, Serkan Baltaci, the two organisations formalised talks that would see a closer working relationship ahead of Türkiye’s 2036 Olympic & Paralympic Games bid.

The partnership between the two organisations launches with the announcement of the award of the 2025 World Abilitysport Beach Games and the 2026 World Abilitysport Youth Games to NPC Türkiye and the city of Mersin with a 2027 World Abilitysport Games bid accepted, subject to contract.

World Abilitysport President, Rudi Van den Abbeele said “NPC Türkiye have shown an unwavering commitment to the Paralympic Movement, and we are delighted to formalise a partnership with them over the next four years.”

“The award of the Beach and Youth Games and the pending bid for a third, demonstrate the dedication the team at NPC Türkiye have to opening up more opportunities to more athletes with physical impairments.”

The partnership was formalised by way of the signing of hosting agreements during the Governing Board meeting in Prague, Czechia.

NPC Türkiye President, Murat Aksu said, “We are extremely proud to be a long-term partner of World Abilitysport and within the framework of our 8-year strategic plan, we are committed to enhancing and contributing to the development of the Paralympic Movement in Türkiye, Europe, and globally.”

“We believe that hosting such prestigious events, through our partnership with World Abilitysport, will serve as a strong reference for our bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which remains one of our most ambitious goals.”

2025 World Abilitysport Beach Games

The inaugural edition of the World Abilitysport Beach Games will be hosted on the picturesque 116km of Mersin coastline. Located in southern Türkiye on the Mediterranean coast, the city boasts over 100 sports venues and will play host to the first ever Para event of its kind.

NPC Türkiye President, Murat Aksu said, “The 2025 World Abilitysport Beach Games, to be held along Mersin’s breathtaking Mediterranean coastline, mark a significant milestone in this journey. As a city known for its rich sports infrastructure and natural beauty, Mersin provides the ideal setting to showcase the power of sport to unite and inspire. Hosting major international events, such as the upcoming 2025 World Abilitysport Beach Games, is a cornerstone of this mission, showcasing our commitment to inclusivity and excellence in the Paralympic Movement.”

The Games set be held from 18^th October to 26^th October 2025 will host a diverse sports programme with beach ParaVolley, surfing, climbing, open water swimming, sailing and Para triathlon under discussion for inclusion.

David Cox, Assistant Sport Director at World ParaVolley, whose discipline of standing Beach ParaVolley will feature on the Games programme said of the opportunity, “World ParaVolley is excited to work with WorldAbility Sport and NPC Türkiye to promote a beach ParaVolley event during the inaugural beach games. This will be an incredible opportunity for athletes to experience and to promote this amazing sport’s worldwide success. World ParaVolley hopes to see athletes from all over the world!”

Entries for the Beach Games will open in early summer 2025.

2026 World Abilitysport Youth Games

Also set to benefit from the state-of-the-art facilities of Mersin is the 2026 World Abilitysport Youth Games due to be held from 19-26 July 2026.

A packed sports programme of archery, athletics, badminton, sitting volley, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and Para fencing are under discussion for inclusion as well as climbing, Para triathlon and sepak takraw.

World Abilitysport CEO, Charmaine Hooper said, “During our site visit to Mersin, we were very impressed by the number of great venues in the city. The NPC are experienced and passionate hosts and I have no doubt these Youth Games will provide an unforgettable experience for our Membership’s young athletes”.

2027 World Abilitysport Games

Completing the trio of events, NPC Türkiye also presented a formal ‘intention to bid’ for the 2027 World Abilitysport Games. The proposal, presented to the Governing Board, propositioned a third event culminating a celebration of Para sport in 2027 reinforcing the benefits of the landmark collaboration between World Abilitysport and NPC Türkiye. A dynamic sports programme was proposed for discussion for the Games which would be expected to welcome over 1000 athletes with physical impairments.