Goalball fun with visually impaired
THE incredible game of goalball saw some exciting games battled out during the annual Steve Vukile Tshwete Games that concludes around East London today.
Goalball, which is a team sport designed specifically for blind athletes, was played at Cambridge Hall and saw some nailbiting clashes, with the majority of them going down to the wire.
“We have really enjoyed being here and are very happy to be a part of the Steve Vukile Tshwete Games,” said Nontobeko Mali, coordinator for the Eastern Cape Goalball Association and goalball referee.
“I am very happy with what I have seen in this competition.”
In the end the four divisions were split across the board, with one regional winner for each section.
The U19 men’s division was won by Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) after a tight competition which saw each team manage a win, with NMB emerging as victors on points difference.
The U19 women’s champs were Alfred Nzo, as they triumphed in all of their games.
The senior divisions were fiercely competitive and saw Buffalo City Metro take the title on the women’s front, while Amathole took the win for the men. “All of the teams played very well, but the ones who won are deserved winners,” said Mali.
“This is a very important sport as the players, who are all visually impaired, they are limited when it comes to playing sport, so this game makes them very happy, because it is made specifically for them.
“Most other sports that visually impaired people play are for fun, but this game is for competition and is very important for them.”
Goalball has many advantages for the athletes who take part in the popular game.
With health, social and real world benefits, the game is well respected in the visually impaired community.
“One of the important things having this sport at the Steve Vukile Tshwete Games is that these kids learn to socialise with all of the other regions taking part,” said Mali.
“It also helps to keep them fit and healthy, and players also learn to calculate space, as they have a 9m long goal to defend, and they have to make sure they don’t collide with the goal or each other and protect it as well.
“This helps them to be independent and helps them calculate for in the real world when they are in an office environment, which is wonderful.”
School players that were involved in the games will now be looking forward to the national competition taking place in just over a week, where they will be able to once again put their skills to the test, this time from the best provincial talent from across the country.
“We have already picked up some very good players here,” said Mali.
“A number of these players will be going to the national school games in December in Johannesburg and they have used this event as a build up to that.
“But this sport is not just for young players as people out of school can also play for their federations which can see you be selected to go overseas.”