• Blind and visually impaired Ivorian football players during a training session at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny University in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. All photos: AFP
    Blind and visually impaired Ivorian football players during a training session at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny University in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. All photos: AFP
  • The Ivorian national blind football team has previously taken part in two African football championships for the blind and visually impaired. Now the players dream of becoming the first team from sub-Saharan Africa to participate in the Paralympic Games, in Paris in 2024.
    The Ivorian national blind football team has previously taken part in two African football championships for the blind and visually impaired. Now the players dream of becoming the first team from sub-Saharan Africa to participate in the Paralympic Games, in Paris in 2024.
  • For the team to get to Paris they will first have to reach the podium at the next African championship, in Morocco in November.
    For the team to get to Paris they will first have to reach the podium at the next African championship, in Morocco in November.
  • Men's and women's teams will participate in the 2022 IBSA Blind Football African Championships at the Moulay Rachid Complex of Youth, Bouznika, Morocco.
    Men's and women's teams will participate in the 2022 IBSA Blind Football African Championships at the Moulay Rachid Complex of Youth, Bouznika, Morocco.
  • Blind football became an IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) official sport in 1996.
    Blind football became an IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) official sport in 1996.
  • The game is a five-a-side pursuit featuring four blind or visually impaired outfielders and a sighted or visually impaired goalkeeper.
    The game is a five-a-side pursuit featuring four blind or visually impaired outfielders and a sighted or visually impaired goalkeeper.
  • All outfielders wear a mask or eye shield to ensure equal competition. Shin guards are compulsory for competition.
    All outfielders wear a mask or eye shield to ensure equal competition. Shin guards are compulsory for competition.
  • Blind football has been played in Spain since the 1920s.
    Blind football has been played in Spain since the 1920s.
  • The ball contains sound devices so players can hear where it is at all times.
    The ball contains sound devices so players can hear where it is at all times.
  • There are three player classifications, with only players who are totally or almost totally blind (B1) allowed to compete in blind football events.
    There are three player classifications, with only players who are totally or almost totally blind (B1) allowed to compete in blind football events.
  • Players categorised as B2 or B3 can complete in partially sighted football, which has different rules.
    Players categorised as B2 or B3 can complete in partially sighted football, which has different rules.

MENA

Visually impaired Ivorian football team prepare for African championship - in pictures

The players are aiming to become the first team from sub-Saharan Africa to participate in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris

The National

April 09, 2022

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Updated: April 09, 2022, 12:23 PM
Ivory CoastMorocco