Dear ladies and gentlemen, dear guests, dear young athletes,
I want to welcome you to the 6th European Youth Games for the Disabled in the South Moravian metropolis – Brno.
Every big sport event of the youth is always a great opportunity to show your great physical condition, create new records and meets new people. However, these Games are exceptional because here are young people under 26 from all over Europe who, apart from the desire to win, have another thing in common – a disability.
It was my pleasure to support the Games under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. I also want to thank to the organisers of the Games, who want to give to you, the athletes, the same opportunity as to the others.
I wish to all athletes who have gathered in Brno that apart from reaching your bests you also meet new friends. I want to promise you that as the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic I will continue to promote granting more money to Czech athletes and that I will not forget the young people with disability because they remind us every day what it is to have strong will, the willingness to overcome oneself and to believe in one’s own powers. I wish you that with the help of sport you will overcome all the problems and challenges in your life. I believe that the 6th European Youth Games for the Disabled will help to fight prejudice and to overcome unnecessary shyness and differences.
I wish you all the best results and to the spectators unforgivable sports experiences.
I hope you will all enjoy your stay in Brno.
Kateřina Valachová
Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic
