site.btaSocial Policy Minister Pledges Support for 2026 Down Syndrome World Championship

Labour and Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov has pledged full support for the athletes and organizers of the upcoming Down Syndrome World Championships, which will take place in June 2026 in Sofia, Bulgaria. This marks the first time this country will host an event of this scale for athletes with Down syndrome, bringing together participants from around the globe.

Over the past decade, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy has supported the development of the Federation of Adapted Physical Activity" with more than BGN 700,000 (approx. EUR 360,000) through various programs and projects.

“If there’s anyone we should thank, it’s first and foremost the children who make Bulgaria proud, the Federation, and the driving force behind making this happen in our country, its President Slav Petkov,” Minister Gutsanov stated at a press conference held at the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

Gutsanov strongly emphasized that the path to true integration for people with special needs lies in their active participation in society.

“The right kind of care is helping them adapt. They may be different, but they have many talents. In many areas, they even surpass us. We need to open up more to them,” the Minister said.

He also expressed gratitude to the many public figures and athletes who support the cause, including gymnasts Neviana Vladinova and Krasimir Dunev, rapper Krisko, weightlifter Karlos Nasar, tennis player Grigor Dimitrov, among others.

“Without names like these, we wouldn’t be able to draw attention to this important cause. The goal is for these children, who may be different, to truly feel they belong in our society,” Gutsanov concluded.