Bamberg bocce court sets stage for Special Olympics World Games

​A portable bocce court from Packaworld will help set the stage for four days of sport, joy and cultural immersion as part of the Special Olympics World Games’ Host Town Programme in Bamberg, Germany.

Bamberg will host athletes from Bahrain in June as part of the nationwide Host Town Programme, helping them acclimatise and sharpen their skills for the supreme challenge of the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin from 17 to 25 June. 

​​The Packabocce court being used for bocce training and events in Bamberg is the same model as the courts athletes will compete on at this year’s World Games, allowing locals and visitors to get a taste of ‘the World Games experience’ ahead of the main event.

Katrin Jakisch, Head of the Sports Department in Bamberg’s Office for Education, Schools and Sport, said she was excited about welcoming the Bahraini guests. 

“I’m looking forward to meeting the international delegation, exploring new experiences and having four days full of fun.” 

The delegation’s pre-competition schedule includes the opportunity for the Bahraini bocce competitors to put Bamberg’s new court through its paces for some last-minute practice. 

After being greeted at Frankfurt airport the delegation will enjoy a dinner and political reception. Over the next two days athletes will be able to fit in some crucial last minute training time in their sports of choice in the morning. Later each day the visitors will be treated to a celebration of inclusion, a cultural exchange and a tour of the historic ninth-century town. 

Jakisch said Bamberg only had a small number of bocce players but the new court and the buzz of the World Games could help boost participation. 

Prior to the arrival of the Bahraini team the court will be made available to interested Bamberg citizens so they can experience the thrill of a game of bocce. The portable Packabocce court will also be offered for hire to local sports groups, who might use it for a day, a weekend, or a festival, Jakisch said. 

“It’s very easy to rent a Packabocce court and set it up. Because of its small size you don’t need a big car.” 

The Host Town Programme involves 200 towns across Germany and aims to allow overseas athletes to get used to the time zone of the host country while experiencing the local culture and also raising awareness of people with intellectual disabilities by giving athletes opportunities to interact with locals.

Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said The Host Town Programme was an outstanding example of international hospitality and how the joy of sport can cross cultural boundaries to bring people together. 

“We are pleased to see our portable bocce courts helping to bring bocce to Bamberg and being used by Bahraini bocce competitors to hone their skills.” 

“We are extremely proud to see the courts chosen for The Host Town Programme, as well as for the bocce competition at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.” 

This year the world’s premier Special Olympics event will see 7,000 athletes compete in 26 summer sports over nine days packed with sport, emotion, and the thrill of competition.

Bamberg is renowned for being one of Germany’s most beautiful towns, famous for its picturesque medieval streets and smoked beer brewed to an ancient recipe.