The IBF Foundation Let’s Play2! grant programme aims to provide organizations involved in blind football or wishing to start practicing it with the equipmentthey need to play the sport. The grant program was open for applications from October 26th to November 8th and 10 applications were submitted.
At the meeting of the IBF Foundation Board of Directors, grants were approved for 9 applications. The organizations that have approved are, among others, National Paralympic Committee (NPCs), National Sports Federations (NFs), clubs, organizations of and for visually impaired people.
The selection committee was made up of IBF Foundation members and the selection criteria were the purpose, target, and organizational capability. Upon their request, we will donate balls, non-official eyemasks and IBSA-approved eyemasks to organizations at no cost to them for purchasing or shipping. However, the number of each piece of equipment to be supplied was not determined by thenumber requested, but by taking into account the prevalence of blind football in the area.
Projects focusing on youth development (male and female, under 23) and women’s blindfootball were particularly welcome. Through playing, visually impaired people can also connect with their peers and experience personal growth. This means that the possibilities for the visually impaired are expanding.
We are pleased to announce the list of recipients:
Centro Basko Euzko Etxea - Argentina
FADeC (Federación Argentina de Deportes para Ciegos) - Argentina
FUNDACION OFTALMOLÓGICA HUGO D. NANO - Argentina
Escuela Especial N° 515 - Argentina
FISPIC (Italian Blind Sport Federation) - Italy
Paralympic Committee of Mozambique (PCM) - Mozambique
Mini-football club of the blind (RSSU) - Russia
Asociación de sordociegos de Honduras - Honduras
The Football Association - England
IBF Foundation is also pleased to announce that a third programme – Let’s Play 3! – will be launched in the coming months. Information regarding eligibility and timelines will be released as and when it becomes available.