Audible balls bring hope for visually impaired kids

ATHENS－A light football with a jingling sound has given confidence to thousands of children with visual impairment across the world in the past four years, spreading hope and joy and promoting inclusion.

The 250-gram football is the brainchild of Elias Mastoras, blind football chairman of the International Blind Sports Federation and founder of nonprofit Youthorama.

"The majority of the children with visual impairment attend general schools. In a general school, usually they are all sighted apart from one child. So, with the use of this ball, they can play together," Mastoras said.

"That helps them not only during the formal educational time, but also with the feeling that we can play all together, they invite them more on the weekends to play outside and in parties."

Mastoras was awarded at the annual #BeInclusive EU Sport Awards by the European Commission earlier this month for the international campaign "A Ball for All", which raises funds and has since donated 8,500 such balls in 213 countries and territories.

The latest recognition for their work gives Mastoras and his partners strength to continue, he said.

Crossing paths with a 4-year-old blind boy named Leandros in a school for the blind in northern Greece's port city of Thessaloniki in 2017 was a pivotal moment in Mastoras' life. When he gave Leandros a Paralympic football to play with his sisters, he realized it was too heavy for children. So, Mastoras created the mini football suitable for visually impaired children. The balls cannot be bought in stores and are only available for donation.

The initiative has already received the support of governments, the European Union, sports clubs and organizations like the UEFA Foundation for Children, sponsors and famous football players and coaches across the globe.

With the support of the UEFA Foundation for Children, 30 youngsters traveled to Budapest to showcase to football fans what they can do with a jingling football.

Leandros, who is now 9 years old, was chosen by the Union of European Football Associations in April to kickstart a quarterfinal match in Thessaloniki. "Thank you so much!" he shouted as thousands of fans cheered.

Xinhua