Visually impaired football stars commence preparations for 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles,USA|Photo by Awan Moses-07/12/2024

The Minister of Youth and Sport has encouraged visually impaired football players to adopt a winning mindset as they prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States of America.

Dr. Joseph Geng Akech said that the focus is on shifting perceptions from viewing challenges as obstacles to recognizing them as opportunities for personal growth and success in the sport.

“So in the region, we want to be lead in the blind football. So when you play, don’t play as an underdog. People have always said we have challenges. We don’t talk about challenges, we talk about opportunities, as mentioned earlier”, said Dr Geng at the launch of South Sudan Blind Football Road to Paralympics 2028, and the final of 2024 South Sudan blind football championship in Juba on Saturday.

Geng says the ambition to win not only serves as motivation for athletes but also a broader vision of representation at international events, such as the Olympic Games in 2028.

“When you go and play, live with the mindset that you’re going to win, because that win will bring back the cup that represents South Sudan in the Olympic games 202.”

According to him, the commitment from the ministry to inclusive sports that promotes greater participation and recognition for all athletes, particularly those with disabilities.

He said that this holistic approach can help foster a more supportive environment for youth to excel in their sporting endeavors.

“The ministry will do all that is possible to support all the federation on the sport 2028, especially the blind football and all the games that involve inclusivity to all our youth”, he added.

The Minister pledged to resolve registration challenges faced by athletes, and urged for immediate action from the directorate of sport.

Ultimately, he said, the focus on improving registration processes is part of a broader goal to strengthen sports infrastructure for all athletes.

“So on Monday, I will go to the directorate of sport  and present these challenges to make sure that they are addressed immediately because as the government we need to facilities… so that you can compete with the international teams and you will not have an excuse to participate, but to only play and bring back medals.”

Meanwhile, the Country Director of Light for World, Sophia Mohammed describe blind football as an important initiative in inclusive sports., receiving backing from the UEFA Foundation for Children and Adidas.

According to her, the organization’s aim is to work closely with the National Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Paralympics to support young athletes in achieving their goal of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“When it comes to inclusive sports, blind football is one of our key and also very unique projects that we are having, supported by UEFA Foundation for Children and now Adidas as well.

“So in the near future, we would like to work very closely with the National Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Paralympics to make sure that these young people who have very big dreams to reach to where they want to reach.

“Their dream is to go to Los Angeles in 2028, and Light for the World will support them fully to make sure that we fulfill their dreams.

On his part, Hakim the Secretary General of Olympic Committee underscores the significant potential of individuals with disabilities and pointed out the productive opportunities within the Paralympic Games.

“Today, people talk of inclusions, but there’s discrimination. This is one of the worst virus we have in this country. Somebody goes to the office, he’s taught to be a beggar. He’s not a beggar. He’s a competent athlete, a person with disability.

“People think that, oh, my, I should go. This is what we have been seeing here, and I’ve talked about it many years. This pains me.

“I was in South Korea before I started the National Paralympic. I had time to be with people with disabilities. They gave me the spirit to start writing something down to form what is called the National Paralympic Committee in this country.”

He asserted that these athletes can make a valuable impact.

“Do you know that the person with disability has a lot of money in the Paralympic Games? You have the biggest money. The people that are going to you are most expensive,’ he added.