Visual impairment cannot hinder the passion for football of the students at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School. It might seem bizarre for blind children to play football but at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School in Hanoi, this is what is happening.

Based on Nhi Dong Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Vu Quang Vinh’s idea of creating a playground for blind children to take part in sport activities like others, a football tournament for blind children was first held in 1997and since then it has taken place every two years.
Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School’s football team consists of 10 blind youngsters, ranging from severe low vision to totally blind, but they are able to dribble, run or kick the ball like professional players. They not only play football at their school but alsocompete with other blind football teams. Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School’s football team often participates in the national football tournament for blind children with three other teams of Thai Nguyen, Da Nang, and Hai Phong.

By Van Quyen

Taking part in the national blind football tournament (Photo: Quy Trung)

Exciting atmosphere on the football yard (Photo: Quy Trung)

Blind children are willing to help each other.

Kicking and passing that are worth admiring.

Blind children are delighted to play football with friends.

Take the ball to the right position for kicking.

Children make an effort to overcome their troubles while playing football.

Children mostly use tactile and auditory senses for daily work.

Relatively accurate headings.

A special ball with sound is easily positioned.

Though being visually impaired, blind children have a good command of daily routines such as putting on shoes or clothes.

Visually impaired children are not able to see and have to use the Braille writing system.

Blind youngsters play with the players from the ArsenalFootball Club whomthey adore.

Ignasi Miguel and Emi Martinez from Arsenal play football with blind children at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School. (Photo: Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School’s file)