EUSA representatives took part in the webinar ©EUSA

European University Sports Association (EUSA) representatives have participated in a webinar held by the European Paralympic Committee (EPC) to discuss how to improve conditions for greater involvement of young people with disabilities in sport.

The event, entitled "Sports & Disabilities: Getting from Grassroots to Paralympics", was attended by officials from the EUSA, EPC and the European Union (EU).

Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, was among the panellists, alongside young Para athlete Noah Rainer.

EPC President Ratko Kovacic also took part in the webinar, which included topics such as the transition from grassroots to the Paralympic Games and sustainable funding.

The webinar was entitled
The webinar was entitled "Sports & Disabilities: Getting from Grassroots to Paralympics" ©EUSA

The importance of sport for a healthy lifestyle, challenges in times of crisis, policy attention and funding at national and EU level and its impact on young athletes to engage in sports to fulfill their aspirations were also discussed.

Austrian Para table tennis player Rainer spoke about his experience as an athlete and his hopes for the Paralympic movement in future.

Kovacic presented statistics on the number of people with an impairment who regularly participate in sport.

The figures showed there are around 80 million people with an impairment in the EU but only approximately 30,000 are involved in regular sports activity.