SPOTLIGHT

Like fans all over soccer-mad Brazil, Carlos Junior followed every move the national team made on the field Monday in its 2-0 victory over Mexico.

But Junior did not watch or listen to the game the way most Brazilians did. Instead, the 31-year-old massage therapist who is deaf and blind experienced the match with the help of interpreters using touch communication and a model soccer field to recount the passes, goals and fouls of the national team.

2018 is turning out to be special for India’s blind cricket team. In January, they defeated Pakistan to clinch their second consecutive World Cup crown. And if all goes to plan, blind cricketers of India will have a T20 league of their own by the year end.

In a step that may provide blind cricket much-deserved attention from TV and fans, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) plans to conduct a T20 League for blind cricketers on the lines of Indian Premier League (IPL), between mid-November and mid-December.
 

Retiree helps visually impaired broaden their horizons

By Tan Yingzi in Chongqing

Partially blind former doctor acts as the 'eyes' of her friends on travel adventures

Cai Meiqi (front) guides her visually impaired friends to visit a scenic area on the outskirts of Chongqing. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Gurbir Singh Dehlon, a visually impaired athlete from Ludhiana, has brought fame to his parents and the coach by clinching two medals in the recently held Para National Athletics Championship.

Gurbir, a total blind athlete, participated in this championship held at Panchkula where he finished at the victory podium in two events. He finished ahead of others to annex gold medal in the 400-metre race besides winning bronze in the 200-metre race.