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Wang's date with destiny

By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-20 07:58

Wang Zhoubin of China kicks the ball as Shalhavizadeh Abdolhamid (center) and Pourrazavi Haftdar of Iran defend in the final of the 5-a-side football final of the Guangzhou Asian Para Games on Saturday. China beat Iran 1-0 for the title. [Photo by Yang Shizhong / China Daily]

 

Young star leads China to Asian Para Games gold

GUANGZHOU - For Chinese footballer Wang Zhoubin, Oct 10, 2005, is a more significant date than his birthday.

Wang, who was blinded by fireworks when he was nine years old, touched a soccer ball for the first time on that date and his life changed forever.

"That date always flashes through my mind. It was the day when I was introduced to a soccer coach," said the 21-year-old, who was a pivotal player in China's national 5-a-side soccer team at the Paralympic Games in 2008 as well as the Asian Para Games.

In Guangzhou, Wang scored four goals including the winner to help China defeat Iran 1-0 in the gold-medal match on Saturday.

"I did not know until that day that a blind person could play soccer. It was an incredible feeling when I was chosen by the coach," Wang said.

Wang said he knew nothing about playing soccer when he started and it took about a month before he began to dribble the ball slowly.

"I had no idea about the sport. Adding to the difficulty was the fact that I was blind and did not dare run with the ball."

But Wang fell in love with the sport and his determination and hard work were rewarded after only three months.

"I still remember that I was selected to play in a national tournament after only three months of training," he said.

"When you do something you love, it always inspires you and makes you happy."

With the boost to his confidence that playing in his first national tournament gave him, Wang made rapid progress in technique and shooting ability to quickly become a key member of the national team.

During the Beijing Paralympic Games, he and his teammates cruised into the final to win a silver for China, after losing 2-1 to Brazil in the final.

Wang scored China's only goal.

"It was an unforgettable experience for me," he said. "We lost to Brazil but it didn't matter at all as Brazil was the best team in the world."

Playing at the top level gave Wang a different outlook on life.

"After I started to play football the world was totally different for me. It became more exciting. I enjoyed making new friends and scoring goals."

Now Wang has two dreams - one is within reach while the other will remain a dream.

"I want to play in the 2012 Paralympic Games and show the world that we are the best, although we can't see.

"I also want to watch the World Cup or even play in a World Cup," he said with a smile.

China Daily