The Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) has launched a project aimed at exposing people of visual impairment to entertainment, recreation and other extra-curriculum activities.
CAB’s National President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Beyan G. Kota, said as a part of this project the association is about to secure a musical band set purposely to train young people, especially its members and other visual-impaired citizens, in music.
Speaking in an interview with the Hot Pepper, Kota explained that music instructors will be hired and a mini-recording studio set up, and talented youths will have the opportunity to produce music of their own to showcase their hidden talents.
Kota intoned that the project, which is sponsored by the Erictunes Foundation, based in Denmark, started with what he termed as “goal-ball” in order to expose youths at the CAB Resource Center to visual impairment recreational activities.
The CAB President/CEO noted that “goal ball” has so many benefits in the area of argument and accuracy, as it has its own mathematics—one has to measure and target their opponents to score. “Of course these are visual-impaired persons,” he stated.
He explained that “goal ball” also helps to erase fear because of blindness, and helps youth to build self-confidence and do things independently in the community.
Kota is therefore appealing to the government to assist the project (goal ball) by providing rug (carpet) for the playing court in order for the youths with impairment to exhibit their talents among others in the country and sub-region.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the CAB’s one-day goal ball tournament, sponsored by the Erictunes Foundation Project, Joseph Zarwu, said the project also involves sports, such as soccer.
He said “goal ball” brought together teams from CAB’s Montserrado and Margibi counties chapters, with six players each: three players posed in the goal and the other three aiming for goal against their opponent.
As the Hot Pepper went to press, it was gathered that the victor in the final match of the “goal ball” tournament and runner-up were presented trophies, special awards, cash and medals by the CAB authorities for making the tournament a resounding success.