By Samson Rotich

On September 14, the Special Football Team played its first competitive match at the Blind Football Uganda Championship, hosted at Makerere University in Kampala. Football for the Blind, recognized by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), is a fast-paced, 5-a-side version of the game played by athletes with visual impairments, guided by sound cues and the support of sighted goalkeepers.

The tournament was a big moment for the team, stepping onto an international stage for the first time. Six teams took part in the tournament, with USIU-Africa placed in Group A. The team secured two draws in the group stage, which was enough to book them a place in the semi-finals. The semi-final against Mukono University ended in a draw, and eventually, the team was knocked out during the penalty shootout. They quickly bounced back in the third-place playoff, beating their opponents, Black Angels, 2 – 0. The two goals were scored by Alex Kariuki Mwangi, a 3rd year Bachelor of Pharmacy student. This victory sealed a proud third-place finish in their debut outing.

This championship was about more than just Football for the Blind; it was a step forward in inclusion and recognition for adaptive sports at USIU-Africa. The Makerere outing gave the players international exposure, a chance to test their skills, and the opportunity to inspire both visually impaired and sighted students to embrace competitive sports. Even with limited preparation time, the team showed incredible discipline and unity.

Looking ahead, the path is full of opportunities for our Blind Football team. With consistent training, professional coaching, physiotherapy support, and recruitment of more players, both visually impaired and sighted, the team will grow stronger.

The team's debut was nothing short of a success. Finishing third out of six teams in their very first international competition proved their potential. With the right support, this team is ready to achieve even greater things in the future.