Football superstar Xavi Hernandez (left) in action during a special event hosted by Save the Dream on the occasion of National Sport Day at Qatar Foundation yesterday.
High-profile Qatari athletes and footballers from Al Sadd Football Club, including superstar Xavi Hernandez, assembled yesterday to show their support for blind football at a special event hosted by Save the Dream on the occasion of National Sport Day 2017.
The event supported by Sasol and the Qatar Social & Culture Center for the Blind was held at Qatar Foundation.
Hassan Al Haydous, Sabri Lamouchi and Qatar’s first international female golfer, Yasmian Al Sharshani along with Xavi joined forces to take part in host of matches and penalty shootouts alongside children and members of the public. Organised as part of Save the Dream’s overall mission to use sport as a tool to educate and empower young people and with the support of Sasol - the international integrated chemicals and energy company - the activity was led by IBSA Blind Football World Referee Coordinator, Elias Mastoras.
It involved over 100 children from Al Yarmouk Preparatory School and Khalifa Secondary School who participated alongside blind, visually-impaired and able bodied athletes and members of the public.
Including a variety of National Sport Day-related activities, community matches and penalty shootouts, the day showcased how people of all abilities and areas of society can play blind football and learn about the positive values sport can teach. Speaking about the event, Mohammed Hanzab, Founder of Save the Dream and ICSS Chairman, said: “National Sport Day is a special and important day for many people and communities across Qatar.
“To have so many high-profile athletes and sporting heroes come together is incredible show of support and highlights the power that sport and blind football can have in bringing together people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds and encouraging inclusivity within society," he added.
“In addition, by pioneering a new football in Qatar for the first time, this joint activity run by Save the Dream and Sasol will hopefully make a real, lasting and positive difference to the lives of blind and visually-impaired young people across the country."Phinda Vilakazi, President of GTL Ventures at Sasol said: “Sasol is proud to be the sponsor of the “A Ball for All” event. Ever since the initiation of Definitely Able in 2012, Sasol has been committed to empowering people with disabilities to find their place in society through sports.
“We have seen the positive impact that sports can have on the disabled community.
"In the past, we have hosted the South African Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball team in a friendly match against the Qatar national team and organized a race between a blade runner champion and an Arabian horse," he added.
