South Sudans visually impaired football squad aims for Paralympic success
Yona Sabri Ellon cannot spot the ball near his feet but he can detect its sound. A subtle jingling sound directs him beyond a defender and he shoots straight into the goal.
Ellon has brought his South Sudanese visually impaired football squad nearer to their ambition of competing in the 2028 Paralympics in California.
The 22 year old forward is standing for South Sudans Bright Stars who are having their first international appearance at the first ever mens visually impaired football competition in Uganda this week.
For him it goes beyond just football.
I must score additional goals to eliminate the unfavourable views of visually impaired individuals from folks in our nation he commented to AFP following the game.
Visually impaired football employs a bell inside the ball to help players on the five a side squads navigate using the Spanish term voy meaning Im coming which they say repeatedly to indicate their positions to teammates.
South Sudans squad started modestly five years back with merely two participants under the supervision of sighted chief coach Simon Madol Akol.
Considerable talent exists among individuals with various disabilities that requires unlocking he remarked.
Obstacles
Akol expanded the squad to 40 participants embodying a diverse range of tribes from South Sudan the worlds newest country which still grapples with ongoing conflicts and tribal divisions.
Football is the path to enduring peace in South Sudan stated Ellon one of eight squad members who travelled to Kampala.
Ellon became blind from glaucoma at age 10. For several years he quit school convinced that losing his sight signified the conclusion of his studies and his passion for football.
The Bright Stars altered that path.
Obstacles have turned into our closest companions he noted.
Numerous such hurdles exist.
South Sudans community football pitches are riddled with potholes posing great risks for players with visual impairments.
Just one secure field exists and they need to cover fees to access it according to coach Akol.
The nations formal paralympic body was established merely a month prior after ten years of attempts to formalise it.
However this pioneering small scale event in Kampala involving squads from Uganda and Zimbabwe provides an opportunity for increased recognition.
Demonstrating that individuals with disabilities can participate and perhaps someday represent their nation that is the achievement of these players stated Robert Kidd a communications specialist at Light for the World a charity organisation aiding the South Sudanese athletes since 2020.
Supported and inspired
In the audience in Kampala a modest yet enthusiastic group of supporters urged the athletes forward.
Jalia Nankwanga a law pupil at Makerere University missed classes to watch the opening fixture on Monday cheering for the Ugandan side.
Nankwanga is visually impaired too but a companion assisted her in tracking the action.
Observing other visually impaired individuals on the pitch fills me with support and inspiration she expressed further mentioning that it now motivates her to join in.
The concluding match occurred on Wednesday pitting South Sudan against Uganda amid high stakes.
It was not until the latter period that South Sudans leader Martin Ladu Paul converted a penalty prompting cheers of SSD SSD an abbreviation for South Sudan from the spectators.
South Sudan proceeded to secure a 3 0 victory yet both squads advanced toward a spot in the Paralympics qualifiers.
Taking part in an event such as this championship is itself a triumph for our group remarked Akol.