The top goalball athletes in the nation soon will be listening for the ball in the 27th Annual USABA Midwest Regional John Bakos Memorial Goalball Tournament on the Western Michigan University Campus.
The game for blind or visually impaired, a bit like hockey or soccer, is played with a ball with a bell inside. Players try to hear the bell as they defend their goal. When they block the ball they throw it into the opposing team's goal.
Goalball, a team sport, is designed specifically for blind athletes and was created in Europe 1946 to help rehabilitate visually impaired World War II veterans.
"These athletes may have low vision or blindness, but don't underestimate them, they are true athletes," tournament director Luke Patterson says. "To watch them walk in to the building and take command is very impressive."
Many of the players that will be competing work, go to school, and raise families, despite their handicaps, Patterson says. "This is a great opportunity to clarify misconceptions about visual impairment and blindness by watching folks compete, live and work."
Many of the players either have been, or will be going on to play for the United States in the
Paralympic games. The Kalamazoo event is the biggest and oldest tournament in North America, consequently it draws nearly all of the Paralympic officials and players from both U.S. and Canada. The games offer an opportunity for people to come out and meet an Olympian.
Interest in participating in this year's competition has been overwhelming. WMU had to turn teams away and start a waiting list. They expect 14 men's and 8 women's teams from throughout North America to compete.
Teams will play from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.. Saturday, Feb. 26 and 8 a.m. till noon Sunday, Feb. 27 at the Student Recreation Center, 1903 W. Michigan Ave.
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Luke Patterson, John Bakos Memorial Goalball Tournament director
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