Çanakkale hosts national bocce championship for seniors

The Turkey 60+ Adult Young Peace Bocce League Championship Finals are being held at the Güzelyalı National Teams Camp and Training Center in Çanakkale. Organized by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the event brings together 24 teams and approximately 200 elderly participants from various regions of Turkey.

The league, which began in 2017 with only 35 nursing homes and 70 participants, has grown to include 127 nursing homes and 1,280 seniors. The initiative aims to promote active aging, physical health, and social interaction among the elderly, helping to reduce feelings of isolation by fostering a sense of community and teamwork through sport.

Local officials, including the Deputy Governor of Çanakkale, attended the opening to emphasize the importance of elderly individuals maintaining productive and active lives within society. Participants have noted that the sport provides them with a sense of dynamism and a way to build new social connections with peers from different cities.