“Fostering spirit of independence”
Many sports have been adapted to include people with disabilities, such as swimming and football. South Sudan Association of Visual Impairment (SSAVI) for the first time in the history of the country formed South Sudan Blind Football Team in February 2020 with support from Light for the World. An organization that raises awareness on physical, social, cultural, and communication barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from participating in society.
The team is currently composed of 10 visually impaired players, 2 goal keepers, coach, assistant coach and international instructor from Germany.
The team held its first friendly match on 3rd December 2020 at the basketball stadium. The team was divided into team A and B where team A won the match which was conducted in form of penalty shootout
says Coach Simon Madol and team captain Ladu Martine
The National Olympics Committee granting permission for the team to use the national stadium playground, is a sign of recognition and support for the team to progress. The team is hoped to be the nuclear for South Sudan Blind Football National team and represent the country in international competitions in the near future.
How is blind football is played?
What amazes most fans is the speed of movement, pace and intensity of the game similar to one played by sighted team. Players also show the same passion, skills and commitment to physical fitness.
Major modification from the mainstream football is the blindfolds which are designed to balance the playing ground for players with different level of visual impairment. Instead of 11 players, 5 players make up a blind football team of which 4 are blind players and a sighted goal keeper.
The rattling ball allows the players to locate it as they move around the field yelling to clarify their position. Meanwhile, a sighted goalkeeper and an off-field guide direct the players towards the ball. Passes cover a short distance and players control the ball not to move more than a few inches from their feet.
Communication is key among the players and command of the ball. Compared to sighted game, players do a lot more of dribbling and close control “as coach Simon Madol states
Another striking feature of blind football is the how the fans must watch the game in silence, unless the ball goes off side they shout or howl. Otherwise, they will interfere with messages being shouted between the players in the field.
Mubarak age 21 is a player in the new team who used to play at school and local residential level before becoming blind in 2016.
Now I am delighted to regain the passion of playing football a hope that was lost
Lack of awareness
One major challenge is lack of awareness on blind football hence, may not mobilize adequate resource from entrance fees. This also make it difficult to identify players from young age given that their family’s do not comprehend the importance of sport in their well-being. Besides, universal barriers faced by persons with visual impairment, the team also faces limited experts in training the game.
SSAVI endeavor to sensitive the public on the sport to deepen their understandings and ensure that the new team reaches its utmost capacity by which may contribute to multiple initiatives of the association.
The game has given players who have lost their sight later in life a comeback to a sport they were once passionate about. Those born naturally blind, is not only an opportunity to make new friendship of a team sport but also foster spirit of independence, boosting confidence and social skills
Itís nearly impossible to find educated people in this particular subject, however, you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks