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FIH Santorelli Cup 2025: a great exemple for everyone!
Bulgaria clinches silver at the 2nd Santorelli Cup for hockey ID, celebrating inclusion and sportsmanship
The 2nd edition of the International Field Hockey Tournament for People with Intellectual Disabilities, known as the Santorelli Cup, concluded with Bulgaria’s national team securing a well-deserved silver medal. Held from June 27-29, 2025, at the Vasil Levski National Sports Academy in Sofia, this tournament marks a significant step forward for inclusive sport in the country.
An event of high sportsmanship and unity
The Santorelli Cup showcased the power of sport to foster inclusion, bringing together teams from Belgium, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria. The event not only highlighted the talents of athletes with intellectual disabilities but also emphasized the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, and friendship.
Bulgaria’s team made their mark by defeating Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands, ultimately earning silver after a hard-fought battle with Italy in the final. Italy claimed the top spot, followed by Bulgaria in second, Belgium in third, and the Netherlands and Ireland in fourth and fifth places, respectively.
Bulgaria’s team performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament, demonstrating both skill and unity. The players are already looking ahead to upcoming international competitions, including an event in Germany, and are committed to further improvement through rigorous training.
Support for inclusion from all corners
The event was attended by several key figures, including mayor of Sofia Vasil Terziev, deputy minister of youth and sports Stoyan Andonov, president of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee Vessela Lecheva, and rector of the National Sports Academy, Prof. Krasimir Petkov. Their presence underscored the importance of this initiative, with local and national officials showing full support for inclusive sports programs.
The tournament was hailed as a significant opportunity to showcase the talents of athletes with intellectual disabilities, while also emphasizing the need for sports to serve as a platform for breaking down social barriers and fostering long-lasting friendships.
Bulgaria’s role in inclusive hockey
The Santorelli Cup marks a historic milestone in Bulgaria’s sports development. This is the first time Bulgaria has hosted a major international hockey event under the umbrella of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), reflecting the growing importance of inclusion in the nation’s sporting culture. The event was organized by the Bulgarian Field Hockey Federation, in partnership with Santorelli JSC and the Creators of Hope Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Bulgaria’s national coach expressed pride in the team’s growth and development, highlighting the increasing competitiveness of the selection process for the team. With an eye on future international competitions, Bulgaria is focused on preparing for the World ID Hockey Championship in 2026 and the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Chile in 2027.
The Santorelli Cup also aligns with Bulgaria’s broader efforts to integrate athletes with intellectual disabilities into high-performance sports. The Regional Center for Support of Inclusive Education in Plovdiv has played a key role in fostering opportunities for young athletes, helping them develop emotionally, socially, and physically through hockey.
Looking ahead: the future of hockey for all
This year’s Santorelli Cup has solidified the tournament’s place as a pivotal event in the inclusive sports calendar. The Bulgarian Field Hockey Federation is committed to expanding the reach of hockey for people with intellectual disabilities, aiming to create a sustainable framework for future international competitions.
Bulgaria has already made notable strides in inclusive sports, with previous successes at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin (2023) and the Special Olympics European Games in the Netherlands (2024). These achievements have put Bulgaria at the forefront of inclusive hockey in Europe, demonstrating its leadership in shaping the future of the sport for people with disabilities.
The Santorelli Cup is more than just a tournament. It serves as a platform for individuals to demonstrate not only their sports skills but also their determination, friendship, and solidarity. The event’s success reflects the growing importance of inclusive sports and sets the stage for future collaborations, both in Bulgaria and across Europe.
With the support of various institutions and organizations, including the European Commission’s Erasmus+ program, the Santorelli Cup is expected to continue growing in significance in the coming years. The Bulgarian team is already gearing up for the next edition, with hopes of securing a gold medal in the near future.

















FIH „SANTORELLI CUP“ (Hockey ID)
📍 NSA VASIL LEVSKI, Sofia
📅 June 27-29, 2025
📅 PROGRAM OVERVIEWFRIDAY, JUNE 27 – ARRIVAL & NETWORKING
📍 NSA Vasil Levski
• From 9:00 AM: Team arrivals (based on flight schedules)
• 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Training sessions on NSA hockey pitch (Teams to confirm preferred time slots)
📍 NSA Conference Room
• 7:00 – 8:00 PM: Event Briefing (in-person & online)
📍 NSA Conference Room
SATURDAY, JUNE 28 – A DAY OF SPORT & INCLUSION
📍 NSA Field
• 9: 3 0 AM: Opening Ceremony
🎤 Team presentations + special guest message
🏑 Match Schedule (2×12.5 min per match):

🥪 13:00-14:00 Lunch at the accommodation hotels
🏖 14:00-16:00 Free time
🏆 17:30-18:30 Fun activities (Best dribble, Best goal, Best save)
🎉 20:00 – 22:00: Santorelli Gala Night
Cocktail ∙ Official Dinner ∙ Music ∙ Social Evening
📍 NSA “Vasil Levski”, Sofia, Rector’s House, 5th floor.
• Live music 🎶
SUNDAY, JUNE 29 – FINAL MATCHES & CELEBRATION
📍 NSA Field
🏑 Match Schedule (2×12.5 min per match):

🏅 12:00 – Closing Ceremony & Awards
• 🥇 Gold Medal
• 🥈 Silver Medal
• 🥉 Bronze Medal
• 🎖️ Special Participation Medals for all teams
📸 Group photo & video shout-outs from athletes to their supporter
🥪 12:30 – 13:30 Food Corner open (teams & staff) – catering on site
🏖 13:30 -15:00 Rest in the hotel
🗺️ 15:00-19:00 Cultural Tour (for all the participants)
📍 Departure from hotels main entrance
🥪 19:00 – 21:30: Dinner at the accommodation hotels
🏑 Tournament Regulations
FIH Santorelli Hockey ID Cup – Sofia 2025
Organized by the Bulgarian Hockey Federation
📍 NSA Vasil Levski, Sofia | 📅 June 27–29, 2025
📜 General Regulations
The Bulgarian Hockey Federation will conduct the tournament in accordance with the EuroHockey ID Regulations.
All participating teams and managers are strongly advised to read these regulations in advance.
All matches will be played following the FIH Rules for Hockey ID, available on the official FIH website.
🕒 Match Format
• Each game will consist of two halves of 12.5 minutes each (total game time: 25 minutes ).
• Rolling and unlimited substitutions are permitted.
• Timeouts are not allowed.

Partnership
OSAKA WORLD and the Bulgarian Hockey Federation (BHF) are proud to announce the beginning of a new partnership.
Effective immediately, OSAKA WORLD becomes one new major official partner of the Bulgarian national hockey teams.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone, as Bulgaria becomes the first country in the Balkans to establish an official partnership with OSAKA WORLD, one of the most respected and innovative brands in the global field hockey community.
Through this partnership, OSAKA WORLD will provide high-quality equipment and support, contributing to the growth and development of Bulgarian hockey at all levels. The BHF looks forward to leveraging OSAKA’s world-class expertise and experience to elevate the sport’s national profile and strengthen the performance of its athletes on the international stage.
Together, OSAKA WORLD and the Bulgarian Hockey Federation are committed to shaping the future of hockey in Bulgaria..

II-nd ID Hockey International Tournament “Santorelli Cup” – Sofia 2025
June 27–29, 2025
The Santorelli Cup returns to Bulgaria for its second edition, this time in the Capital, bringing together athletes from across Europe in a unique celebration of inclusive field hockey, international friendship, and cultural exchange. Hosted by the Bulgarian Hockey Federation under the FIH ID Hockey regulations, the tournament creates a space where sport goes beyond competition, promoting values of unity, diversity, and respect. With over 100 participants from Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Ireland, and the Netherlands, this 3-day event promises thrilling matches, vibrant social moments, and unforgettable memories.
Event Overview
Location: NSA Vasil Levski, Sofia
Dates: June 27–29, 2025
Teams: 5 international teams
Participants: 100+ athletes
Highlights: Competitive matches, social events, skills contests, and a cultural tour
Program Summary
Friday, June 27 – Arrival & Networking
Morning–Afternoon: Team arrivals & training sessions
6:00 PM: Welcome Networking & Press Briefing
Saturday, June 28 – Day of Sport & Inclusion
9:30 AM: Opening Ceremony (team presentations & special guest message)
10:00 AM–12:00 PM: Round-robin matches
5:30 PM: Fun Skills Challenges
8:00 PM: Santorelli Gala Night
Sunday, June 29 – Finals & Cultural Celebration
9:00 AM–11:00 AM: Final matches
12:00 PM: Closing Ceremony & Awards
Gold, Silver, Bronze medals
Participation medals for all teams
Group photo & athlete video shout-outs
3:00 PM: Guided Cultural Tour of Sofia
Organized by Bulgarian Hockey Federation under the regulations of FIH ID Hockey
Contact: Dimitri Dubuisson, development@bghockey.org

EuroHockey meetings
EuroHockey Development committee & Executive Leadership Forum in Brussels. Our Development Manager, Mr Dimitri Dubuisson had been chosen to show the good example of Bulgaria in developing a modern strategic plan and implementing it. A great honour for our Federation. In the Executive Leadership forum, with Marina Zaharieva (TD and officials) they worked on new partnerships with Federations of Belgium, France, Greece, Turkey, Malta and Luxembourg. Mr Dubuisson also receive training equipments for our active members.





FIH “Santorelli” Hockey ID cup 2025
This 2nd of April, was held a very important meeting in the National Sport Academy to prepare to host the second edition of the International “Santorelli” Hockey ID cup. Prof Petkov, Rektor of NSA received for the occasion Prof Lecheva, the new President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, Prof. Antonov from BHF and Mr Santorelli, sponsor of the event.
The international tournament will take place from 27th to 29th of June in the NSA of Sofia.
The international event will gather teams from 5 different countries: Bulgaria, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Niderland.

‘Love is All’ Project launches after three Years of Groundbreaking Work to Expand Hockey ID Across Europe and Beyond
The Love is All Erasmus+ project formally launches a set of Hockey ID Toolkits this week after three years of dedicated research, and hands-on development.
The project is a collaborative initiative dedicated to the development and promotion of Hockey ID, ensuring greater accessibility for the growth of hockey for intellectually disabled (ID) athletes, as well as their coaches, support staff and event managers.
Through education, structured training, and cross-border cooperation, the project is paving the way for a more inclusive sports culture worldwide.
Love is All is led by Czech Hockey with the support of the EuroHockey Institute and the FIH Academy with this launch marking a major milestone.
They have worked in combination with the national associations from Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain; Special Olympics Bulgaria, France and the Netherlands; and Adam Evans from Copenhagen University.
The outcome is a comprehensive set of Hockey ID Toolkits, designed to empower coaches, officials, umpires and event organisers in successfully integrating Hockey ID. The Toolkits will be available via the EuroHockey Institute and FIH Academy platforms.
EuroHockey Institute Coordinator Cameron Findler says he is proud to see the integration of these resources to the Institute’s offerings.
“Having the Toolkits all in one place alongside all our other courses shows to Europe and our member National Associations how seriously we take Hockey ID,” he said.
“The thing I have enjoyed most about the Love is All project is the impact it has on our ID athletes. Seeing the joy in their faces at ID events, like the European Championships, is an amazing thing and something we want to grow.”
Norman Hughes, who has been spearheading the development of Hockey ID worldwide, added: “It proved so inspiring to work alongside a team of experts, some experienced in Hockey ID, some new to Hockey ID. The exchange of ideas has I am sure enhanced the quality of the resources developed”.
Czech Hockey’s Gino Schilders, who led the project, added that he is thrilled the project is now available for a wider audience and said Love is All is a project that has organically flourished over the past three years: “It shows when you have a great team of passionate people, you have are sure to reach a great result.
“We initially had nine partners in the work group but during the project, this enlarged because more people wanted to join and help.”
A Vision for Inclusion Through Sport
The project was initiated in 2022 and has successfully created a structured framework to promote inclusivity and expand Hockey ID across Europe and beyond.
Indeed, more than just a project, Love is All is a movement born from the passion of coaches, institutions, and organisations committed to fostering social inclusion through sports.
By developing structured training programmes, toolkits, and international collaborations, the initiative aims to inspire each hockey nation to integrate Hockey ID.
In so doing, the result will be to provide intellectually disabled athletes with the same opportunities to develop skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Over the course of almost three years of discussions, research and practical testing, Love is All’s most significant output is now available to a wider audience.
The project now transitions from the development to implementation stage as stakeholders came together in Brussels last week for a dissemination event as the work begins to share the toolkits to a wider audience.
