Soccer has long been a national obsession in Haiti, and following the devastating 2010 earthquake, which spurred the creation of a national disabled team, the nation is now dreaming of World Cup glory.
A 15-member squad is in the midst of intense training for the amputee World Cup set to take place in Mexico from Oct. 24 to Nov. 6, far from the media frenzy generated by the FIFA World Cup.
“We won against the United States at the Copa America, and we also beat Germany, Italy and Russia,” coach Pierre Rochenel said. “Since we need seven players for a game and it’s on a smaller field, amputee football is very demanding technically.”
Photo: AFP
The team’s participation in the World Cup next month is the latest chapter in the rise of amputee soccer in Haiti, which accelerated in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake that left 200,000 people dead. Of the 300,000 people wounded, 4,000 are amputees.
Eight members of the Haiti team heading to Mexico are amputees resulting from the earthquake.
Haiti’s national amputee soccer association was launched to help motivate the wounded, many of whom became one-legged, as they faced harsh stigmatization.
“Here, people still hide at home their loved ones who are disabled,” association president Ariel Valembrun said. “But when they see the team out in the field, people can’t get over themselves. Everywhere we go, the public applauds and sees that what we are doing is good for the disabled community.”
Alain Israel, who was born without part of his left leg, was often subjected to discrimination.
The 27-year-old said that playing on Haiti’s soccer team has given him a sense of pride.
“People think about the efforts they need to make to play soccer well, so when they see me, a disabled man, they can’t believe it,” Israel said. “I had enough of people’s stares in the street, but when everyone is looking at me on the field, I feel proud. It really makes me want to live more.”
Beyond disabled rights, the players hope to promote equality among all citizens.
Among the 47 countries with an amputee soccer team, only two have a group of female players: Haiti and Mexico.
Marie-Sophonie Louis is incredibly proud that his nation, still dominated by a macho culture, is for once ahead of the game on the world stage.
“We have very few able-bodied women play football here,” said the volunteer who trains the women’s amputee team. “Ninety percent of our players were victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake. It’s a powerful message for all able-bodied women here and abroad: Why fall back? You can do a lot and nothing is impossible.”
All the players and members of the association show as much motivation as their technical and financial support is scarce.
“We have a few private partners, media that back us, but nothing from the state,” said Valembrun, who is temporarily sharing his home with 18 players as they prepare for the competition.
The team and its staff are only asking the minimum: a bus to travel to the stadium on the other side of the capital and doing everything so that all the players have their passports in time.
Israel rolled his eyes when he heard talk of integration.
“We are not on the fringes of society,” he said. “Yes, some people have deficiencies, but it’s the stares and the behavior of others that makes them disabled.”
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