Celebrating Strength and Resilience: 7th Annual Roskiáda in Nymburk

From 13th to 15th September 2024, the 7th annual Roskiáda, a sports event for people living with multiple sclerosis, took place at the Sports Centre in Nymburk, Czech Republic. This inspiring event brought together patients, volunteers, and supporters for a weekend of athletic competition and community spirit.

Friday’s Opening: Assembly and Insightful Lecture

The weekend began on Friday afternoon with the national assembly of delegates from Unie ROSKA, the Czech MS Society. Following this, participants attended an engaging lecture by psychologist and sexologist Mrs. Laura Janáčková. Her talk, titled “Coping with Life Situations Beyond Limits,” offered valuable insights into managing the challenges that life can present, particularly for those living with multiple sclerosis.

Saturday: The Main Competition Day

Saturday marked the highlight of the event with a full day of competitions. The participants, representing various regional associations, were warmly welcomed by Mrs. Ing. Jiřina Landová, chairwoman of the Unie ROSKA Executive Board. She introduced the day’s programme and explained the rules for each of the 10 sporting disciplines.

A panel of judges was formed to oversee the events and ensure fair play. The competitions included table tennis, basketball shooting, hockey stick accuracy, football goal kicking, seated basketball shooting, darts, swimming, ball throwing, boccia, and ring toss. A total of 102 participants took part in these events.

Evening Celebrations: Results and Special Guests

After dinner, the winners were announced, with Mrs. Ing. Jiřina Landová hosting the awards ceremony. Two special guests joined her in the ceremony: Mr. Francesco Tabellini, head coach of the Nymburk basketball club, and team member Mr. Jakub Tůma. Mr. Tabellini, originally from Italy, has just completed his first year coaching the club, while Mr. Tůma, an accomplished athlete living with multiple sclerosis, shared his inspiring story of perseverance and success. The Nymburk team has an impressive track record, having won the national championship for the 19th time.

Together, Mr. Tabellini and Mr. Tůma presented medals, diplomas, and small gifts to the top three competitors in each discipline, celebrating their achievements.

Conclusion: A Heartfelt Thanks

The event concluded with heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in organising the Roskiáda, from the dedicated volunteers to the generous sponsors. Special recognition was given to the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic for its financial support, which made the event possible.

The 7th Roskiáda was not only a celebration of sport but also a testament to the strength and resilience of the participants, who continue to overcome the challenges of multiple sclerosis with determination and community spirit.