Historic Debut: Mexico’s First Blind Women’s Football Team Prepares for International Competition

In a groundbreaking moment for women's sports in Mexico, the nation is set to send its inaugural blind women's football team, Chilangas FC, to compete in the Women's Blind Football American Championship next month in Brazil. Members of the team are buzzing with excitement as they gear up for this historic debut.

Among the players is 31-year-old Paulina “Pau” Hernandez, a mother from Mexico City who has embraced the sport with fervor. As she readies for practice, she carefully stows her white cane and dons a solid-black eye mask, preparing herself for a game where sight is irrelevant. The players, varying in their levels of visual impairment, will rely on sound and communication to navigate the pitch during the five-a-side matches.

This momentous occasion marks the first time Mexico has fielded a team of blind female athletes for an international event. The Chilangas FC aims not only to compete but also to inspire more women to participate in football, a sport that holds a special place in the hearts of many in the country. According to surveys by Mitofsky and Ticketmaster, football is the most popular sport among Mexicans, with 81% of sports fans favoring it.

Coach Wendy del Rio, who has dedicated years to advancing blind sports, recognized the absence of women in blind football. After seven years with the men's team, she founded Chilangas FC in 2020, motivated by the persistent inquiries from women seeking opportunities to play. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully assembled a team that has since trained rigorously.

Currently, there are only six women's blind football teams across Mexico, including Chilangas FC, and they face significant hurdles, including a lack of dedicated facilities and funding. Del Rio has been actively negotiating with local authorities for a suitable training space, as the sport necessitates an enclosed area for effective play.

In blind football, silence from spectators is crucial, allowing players to hear the ball, which contains a rattle, and communicate effectively with teammates. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to see, providing guidance to their teammates. Trust and teamwork become paramount as the players move in sync, relying on vocal cues and their internal memory to navigate the field.

Hernandez, who lost her sight completely four years ago due to a rare condition, has found a renewed sense of purpose through football. She recalls her childhood love for the game, despite her visual limitations. Encouraged by Efrain Mora Garcia, president of the Mexican Federation of Sports for the Blind and Visually Impaired, to join Chilangas FC, Hernandez has discovered a new level of fulfillment in her athletic journey.

“This isn’t just a game anymore. I want to dedicate myself to this,” she expressed, reflecting on the transformative impact of the sport on her life. However, barriers remain not only in terms of accessibility to sports but also cultural expectations. Many families discourage women from engaging in contact sports due to fears of injury, and women often juggle domestic responsibilities, which can limit their participation in athletics.

Mora Garcia emphasizes that societal perceptions can be more challenging than physical obstacles. “What these women need is the opportunity to show what they’re capable of,” he states. For Hernandez, navigating the busy streets of Mexico City can be daunting, relying on her cane amid unpredictable conditions. Despite these challenges, she champions independence and resilience, balancing her life as a massage therapist and mother to her six-year-old son, Noel.

Hernandez's journey exemplifies the potential of women with visual impairments to excel in sports and beyond. She rejects the notion of being confined by her blindness, stating, “There are many things we can do as people with visual impairments.” As the Chilangas FC prepares for their international debut, they embody hope and determination, paving the way for future generations of female athletes.

Source: www.aljazeera.com