Bocce shines in Malta on Packabocce courts

Malta is the tenth-smallest country in the world by area, a city-state floating in the Mediterranean Sea, and for a week in May, it played host to the Special Olympics Malta Invitational Games.

The games were the first Special Olympics tournament in Europe since the Covid—19 pandemic hit, and the excitement was palpable. Nowhere was the atmosphere more electric than at the bocce event, a homecoming of sorts for a game long played on the island, albeit in a different form.

Long ago, in the time of the Knights of St. John (1530–1798), a game called maghio was played on the island. Using cylindrical bowls instead of spherical, the game would eventually become known as bocci. Today, its Italian cousin, bocce, has returned to the island’s shores, its surge in popularity fuelled in part by new portable bocce courts from Packaworld that are helping organisers grow the sport globally.

The high-quality inflatable Packabocce courts are easy to set up and take down, and can be quickly packed away and stored when not in use. This portability and convenience, combined with the exceptional playing experience they offer, saw them chosen as the court of choice for the Special Olympics Malta Invitational Games – the first time the country had hosted a major international Special Olympics event.

Speaking in a video recap after the Malta games, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia President David Evangelista said the event had been a real milestone for the whole European Special Olympics community following a long period without major international competitions due to Covid-19.

“When athletes come to Malta, their families come to Malta, they are marching into opening ceremonies, they're running, they're jumping, they're swimming, they're fighting, they're giving it their all. And when they turn back, they look back at the most tragic of global pandemics. What message could be more powerful than, we're back!"

In the crowds throughout the games, many of those supporting the athletes were family members, filled with pride at their loved ones getting the chance to shine on a global stage.

Special Olympics Malta National Director Anna Calleja also spoke of the impact of the games in the post-event video. She said the Games had made a real difference in the lives of the athletes and their parents.

“The emotions that you can read in the faces, you can see the difference in their eyes.”

Packaworld CEO Peter Roberts said it was fantastic to be at the front of the wave helping to lead bocce’s resurgence after a quieter period during the pandemic.

“The smiles on the faces of the competitors said it all. Everyone was absolutely pumped to be part of it, and so were we.”

“The power of sport to bring people together, to empower people and create community is what Packaworld is all about."

> Want more information about our portable bocce courts? Visit our Packabocce product page.

VIDEO: Special Olympics Malta Invitational Games 2022