Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP) President Luca Pancalli also expressed his hope that competitors from the nation would have a positive experience at the Games, which begins with the Opening Ceremony tomorrow and concludes on Sunday (October 15).

Over 600 Para-athletes from 26 countries are set to compete across eight sports at the event in Savona and Genoa.

Athletics, boccia, seven-a-side football, goalball, judo, sailing, swimming and table tennis are the sports on the programme at the Games, organised by the European Paralympic Committees in conjunction with the CIP.

"The European Para Youth Games highlights once again the mission of the Paralympic movement to try to change the perception towards people with impairment in our society," said Pancalli. 

"I hope our young athletes from the Italian Paralympic family can have a positive experience and cultivate the love for the sport they are pursuing."

Italy have the biggest delegation with 49 athletes, which includes 10-year-old table tennis player Matteo Parenzan, the youngest athlete at the event.

"It will be an important week for Liguria, Genoa and Savona, this is a great time for sport in the region," said Giovanni Toti, President of the Liguria Region.

"It will show the value of sports also in terms of welfare and social inclusion."

The event will be the fourth edition of the European Para Youth Games.

It was first held in Brno in the Czech Republic in 2011 and 2012 before Varazdin in Croatia hosted the 2015 Games.

Action is due to begin later today with the seven-a-side football match between Denmark and Great Britain.