In Juba, South Sudan, 22-year-old Yona Sabri Ellon sprints to the end of the pitch, shouting to a teammate to pass the ball.
The opponent intercepts the ball, leading to a scramble. The game is paused due to a foul, and Ellon resumes by throwing the ball in. This is no ordinary football game – all players have severe visual impairments, some to the point of blindness, and are part of the Premier Blind Football League in Juba, South Sudan.
The coach and technical director of the Blind Football League is 27-year-old Simon Madol. He is also a disability inclusion facilitator for Light for the World, a global nonprofit advocating for disability rights.
Madol, along with his colleagues, assists the 15 players during practice, emphasizing touch to compensate for their lack of vision and fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among the players.
The players wear blindfolds to ensure a level playing field and use a ball that jingles to help them locate it. They shout “voy” to warn opponents of their approach and prevent injuries. The blind football league serves as a way for players to regain confidence, learn to move without fear, and bond with others facing similar challenges. Yona Sabri Ellon, who lost his sight at age 12, shares his journey of overcoming obstacles and finding hope through the Rajap Center for the Blind in Juba.
Despite the lack of resources for people with disabilities in South Sudan, initiatives like the blind football league provide a platform for empowerment and social integration.
The blind football league was launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a ray of hope and unity in a country plagued by various challenges.
Through football, players like Ellon are not only honing their skills but also challenging stereotypes and discrimination against disabled individuals.