The "Adapted Sports" project will have new rules in the Azores, starting Tuesday; they were published today in the Official Journal.

This project aims to "promote the regular practice of sports by people with disabilities under the guidance of duly qualified staff. It complies with the principles of universality and equal access of all citizens to sport, without discrimination."

The support provided in the recently approved rules are directed "to the activities that, due to difficulties of access, inadequacy or option of the beneficiary, are not regulated and run by sports associations and federations under the sports public utility statute."

Sports clubs, school sports clubs and youth associations and non-profit associations developing this type of physical activity may apply to the support measured provided in the new rules.

The "Adapted Sports" project comprises sports activity groups and/or sports centres: adapted sports activity groups and adapted sports centres.

Adapted sports activity groups should develop recreational and leisure activities that are not regulated by sport competition frameworks. They are primarily intended to stimulate the desire and taste for sports activities as well as the creation of healthy living habits. In addition, these activities may involve different types of sports activity and include athletes with different types and levels of disability.

In turn, adapted sports centres may develop regular sports activities that, due to difficulties of access or inadequacy, are not included in sports activities regulated and run by sports associations under the sports public utility statute or that do not meet the requirements that determine the possibility of access to the support programme for the training and competition activities of youth teams.

Moreover, adapted sports centres are also required to participate in local competition events on a regular basis, preferably with monthly regularity, and their members must be registered at the entities responsible for competition events or at the respective national disability association or at the respective national sports association.

Eligible beneficiaries should simultaneously meet the following requirements: a technical manager with a degree in the area of sport science or a professional degree of sports coach that should be always present during the activities, and ensure a minimum of fifteen practitioners for each activity group and sports group.
 
The new regulation also determines, among others, the aspects concerning the procedures for the submission of applications and their approval, the signing of contracts, and the subsequent follow-up and management of funds.