Huang Mu-gui (黃沐桂), a fifth-grade student, said he liked many different types of sports, but since he can’t see, he can only practice them by listening to the sound of the goalball, a ball used in a team sport designed for blind athletes.
“My dream is to play basketball with Olympic gold medalists,” Huang said. “I also like bicycling. I like to feel the wind blowing in my face while riding on the back of the bicycle.”
Lin Chieh-en (林潔恩), a high school freshman, said she was happy to have the opportunity to meet Wanyoike and Qi.
“I think they are awesome. They inspired me to work harder ... They are my role models,” she said.
Chang Hui-ping (張惠萍), head of the school’s office of student affairs, said she hoped there would be more volunteers to take the students outdoors to play sports.
She also said she hoped there would be more research and development into sports equipment and facilities for blind and visually impaired people, adding that one goalball costs them between NT$3,000 and NT$6,000.
“How can a kid from a financially weak family afford to buy such an expensive goalball?” she asked.
Wanyoike said the Seeing is Believing program planned to raise US$20 million for 20 million people in 20 major cities in the world by the end of 2020.
“Despite the challenges at the moment, I believe that by working together and having the courage and determination [to persevere], and giving any support you can give, you can make a big difference,” he said.
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