The Sport on the Move Foundation hosted its first blind football tournament in Katutura last Saturday to promote sporting opportunities for visually impaired athletes.
The Sport on the Move Foundation, based in the Netherlands, hosted the event to demonstrate that para-sport extends beyond athletics. Following a training programme conducted a few years ago, the organisation established its first competitive tournament for visually impaired footballers.
Sport on the Move Netherlands Chairperson Elisa Ostet said the initiative aims to expand para-sport opportunities in Namibia. According to Ostet, the tournament highlights how football can positively impact visually impaired athletes. She noted that after previously conducting foundational training in the country, seeing the first competitive matches take place is a major milestone. Ostet added that the goal is to shift public perception from viewing para-sports solely as running and athletics, opening the door for disciplines like blind soccer, fencing, taekwondo, and swimming to grow.
Five teams and 25 players from Windhoek, Rundu, and northern Namibia competed in the tournament. Participants from the Sport on the Move Football Club said the competition provides them with an opportunity to continue developing their skills. Zekka Shikumba shared that after a long period away from competition, the players are excited to return to the pitch and are determined to make the nation proud through their performances in blind football.
Speaking through an interpreter, Sam Shikondjeleni expressed his happiness at returning to the tournament for a second time, adding that his goal is to help build a strong national team capable of competing successfully against international sides.
Player Lowis Sheehama highlighted the squad's ultimate goal of establishing a domestic competition structure. Sheehama said that playing alongside his team brings him immense joy, and he hopes this momentum will help put Namibia on the map and eventually lead to the establishment of a formal domestic blind football league.
Namibian para-athlete Ananias Shikongo pointed to infrastructure and equipment shortages, calling on corporate and public institutions to invest in the sport. Shikongo emphasised that, since this is a new sporting frontier for the country, stakeholders need to come on board to support the players by providing specialised equipment. He also noted that while they are grateful to share the current court with the Special Olympics, dedicated financial backing is required to renovate existing facilities or build proper, dedicated courts for the sport.
The tournament also served as a selection platform to identify the top 10 players who could represent Namibia at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
Sport on the Move FC finished first, followed by Nomad Academy FC in second place and School for the Visually Impaired FC in third, while Khomas FC and NFVI FC finished fourth and fifth, respectively.