TİKA Supports Wheelchair Basketball in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) reinforced the infrastructure of the “Bosna” Zenica Basketball Club for the Physically Disabled by providing professional sports wheelchairs tailored to their needs.

As part of the project, eight custom-designed wheelchairs were delivered to the club. These specialized wheelchairs are built to enhance player safety by preventing contact during games and reducing the risk of falls and injuries. With TİKA’s support, the club, which previously struggled to expand its activities due to limited resources, has taken a significant step toward professionalization.

Speaking at the delivery ceremony, Fikret Brljak, President of the “Bosna” Zenica Basketball Club for the Physically Disabled, highlighted that the club was the first of its kind to be established in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He expressed his excitement about taking a significant step toward professionalization thanks to TİKA’s support.

Brljak also recalled that the club received its first sports wheelchair donation in 1996 from Alija Izetbegović, the first President of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He shared their joy in receiving new wheelchairs, provided by TİKA, which replace those that had become worn out and unusable over the past 28 years.

“Equal opportunities for all”

TİKA’s Coordinator in Sarajevo, Erdinç Işık stated, “Through the projects we implement for individuals with disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, TİKA contributes to building a society where equal opportunities are available to everyone. We are delighted to support the activities and rehabilitation processes of our brothers and elders with disabilities by enhancing wheelchair basketball through the project we inaugurated today.”

Mujo Aganović, President of the Association of Paraplegic Veterans of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighted that the project is part of the long-standing and successful collaboration with TİKA. Expressing his gratitude to the Republic of Türkiye and its people for their support on behalf of disabled citizens, Aganović underscored the significance of the strong brotherly and friendly relations between the two nations.

Following the ceremony held in observance of December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a friendly competition took place between the “Bosna” Zenica Physically Disabled Basketball Club and the Sanski Most “Sana” Physically Disabled Basketball Club.

About “Bosna” Zenica Physically Disabled Basketball Club

“Bosna” Zenica Physically Disabled Basketball Club, established in 1995 to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of paraplegic combat veterans injured during the Bosnian War, holds the distinction of being the first club of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently competing in the Bosnia and Herzegovina First League, the club has expanded its mission over the years. Today, it welcomes all athletes with physical disabilities, including civilians and provides sports opportunities for individuals aged 14 to 60.