Charles Pasquale (R), Chairperson South Sudan Blind Football Federation shaking hands with Emmanuel Kayanga (L) presenter of Building Bridges Show after the talkshow on 1st of September, 2026. Photo Credit; Awuou Michael

By Emmanuel Kayanga | Juba | 1st of Sept. 2026

The South Sudan Blind Football Federation is appealing for logistical support to enable the men’s national blind football team to participate in the IBSA Blind Football African Championships Division One in Egypt this November.

Speaking on Favour FM’s Building Bridges show, the Chairperson of the Federation Charles Pasquale, said South Sudan remains optimistic about winning the Division One Championship. However, he noted that logistical hurdles are threatening the team’s participation in Egypt.

“Last year we managed to go to Uganda by road. But in November we are expected to be in Egypt and that requires for the team of about 20 including technical staff and coach to go to Egypt for the IBSA Blind Football African Championships Division One,” said Pasquale.

He appealed to the government, NGOs, well-wishers, and supporters to assist with air tickets and necessary travel documents for some players who are still in need of passports and necessary traveling documents ahead of the championship.

Pasquale also highlighted the lack of a dedicated training field. He said the team currently rents space at Dr. Biar Sports Complex in Juba for 50 US dollars and is urging the Ministry of Youth and Sports to provide a permanent facility for regular training ahead of continental and international competitions.

“We are renting training ground for $ 50 for an hour only which is very expensive. If we have training facility or a place should be allocated to us, it will be helpful for us,” said Pasquale.

He added that the Federation, with support from Light for the World, is working to start blind football leagues in other states, including training for people with visual impairments in Yambio, Western Equatoria State, and Pibor.

The Chairperson also cited achievements including South Sudan winning the inaugural IBSA Blind Football African Championships Division 2 in Kampala, Uganda last year, and the formation of the South Sudan Women’s Blind Football Team to promote inclusion.

“We have female team and a female coach to train them as part of the federation’s policy of inclusion of women with visual impairments into sports,” added the Chairperson.

He noted that the Division One Championship in Egypt is a key qualifier for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, and expressed hope that South Sudan will qualify. South Sudan Blind Football team is expected to participate in IBSA Blind Football African Championships Division One alongside Morocco, Egypt, Mali, Nigeria, Ivory Cost, and Uganda.

“The same way we won the Division 2 Championship in Uganda in 2025, we remain optimistic that we will win the Division One championships in Egypt,” expressed Pasquale.

The team’s journey of resilience has also earned them finalist recognition for a major global inclusion award.