Breaking barriers: Women's blind football debuts at Ugandan universities

Blind Football Uganda chairman Jagwe Muzafaru has welcomed the introduction of women's blind football at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and Kyambogo University, saying the move will give women with visual impairments more opportunities in sport and life.

Jagwe said the programme was started after women who had previously been trained in blind football joined the two universities and asked to be included in the sport.

"I have actualized this dream, as many people whom we trained in the mentioned schools have joined the university and began asking for their inclusion in participation," Jagwe said.

He said he had wanted to introduce women's blind football since 2023, but earlier efforts in secondary schools did not succeed because of logistical challenges, mainly a lack of playing equipment.

Jagwe said he tried to introduce the sport at St Francis Madira in Soroti, Hornby High School in Kabale, Gulu High School in Gulu, and St Mary's Goretti Ngetta in Lira.

"It did not work out due to logistical challenges, most especially with playing equipment, because of distances between playing communities of boys that they could share balls and other equipment with," he said.

He said MUBS and Kyambogo were chosen because they are easier to access in terms of equipment, facilities, coaches, and monitoring.

"We began with the two institutions because of easy logistical access in terms of playing equipment, training facilities, human resource like coaches, and easy monitoring as we plan to go to other parts of the country," Jagwe said.

Jagwe said the introduction is important because sport can improve the lives of women with visual impairments.

"It's important because sports can be a pathway for social change in the lives of women with visual impairments, like providing a platform for interaction and networking with people, which they can use to source employment opportunities and other support that can lift their lives," he said.

Despite the progress, Jagwe said the sport faces challenges, including a lack of suitable facilities, equipment, funding, and trained technical officials.

"Lack of suitable facilities is one of the challenges I expect. Blind football as a sport requires a quiet environment to enable the players to hear the sound of the ball," he said.

He said many universities have pitches that are shared with other students and activities, while some facilities were not designed with people with disabilities in mind.

Jagwe wants universities to establish blind football clubs, provide accessible facilities and equipment, train coaches, and support students to balance sport with their studies.

He also wants universities to organise inter-university competitions to attract more institutions to the sport.

He called on the government to provide funding and policy support for women with disabilities in sport, including investment in accessible facilities and equipment.

He also urged the government to ensure disability and gender inclusion are part of national sports programmes.

The development comes as Blind Football Uganda prepares for its fifth National Championship, scheduled for September 5 at the Makerere University Rugby Grounds.

The championship will also offer free HIV testing and counselling through a partnership with Golden Boots.

The services will include HIV testing, pre- and post-test counselling, risk-reduction education, and linkage to care and support.

Blind Football Uganda will use the national championship as part of preparations for the national team's trip to Egypt for the continental qualifiers in November.