The IBF Foundation opened applications for the ‘Let’s Play! Grant Programme, supported by MOTHERHOUSE’ on 17 August. This programme provides equipment, such as balls, to organisations looking to take up blind football for the first time, thereby supporting them in getting started with the sport.

This programme has been run six times since January 2021 and has so far provided blind football equipment to 96 organisations in 51 countries.

Furthermore, from this instalment onwards, guided by the philosophy of “Creating a World-Class Brand from a Developing Country”, the programme is being implemented with the support of MOTHERHOUSE Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Taito-ku, Tokyo; Representative Directors: Eriko Yamaguchi and Daisuke Yamazaki), which manufactures bags and apparel in six Asian countries, including Bangladesh.

MOTHERHOUSE Co., Ltd.’s involvement with blind football began in 2016 when blind football players appeared as guest speakers at ‘MOTHERHOUSE College’, an event organised by the company. Following that, from 2018 onwards, the company has been marketing a range of bags, including a backpack jointly developed through extensive consultation with visually impaired people. A portion of the proceeds from these sales is donated to provide ongoing support for initiatives that address the challenges faced by the visually impaired, with blind football as the starting point.

Since its establishment in 2019, the IBF Foundation has received ongoing donations from MOTHERHOUSE. From this financial year onwards, the primary purpose of these donations will be to support the ‘Let’s Play! Grant Programme’, which aims to increase the number of people engaging with blind football around the world, whilst also contributing to the empowerment of people with visual impairments in each region.

 

About Applications

Following a review of applications, the IBF Foundation will donate balls, training eye masks, and IBSA-approved eye masks to selected organisations, with the applicants bearing no costs for purchase or postage. Projects focusing specifically on youth development (boys and girls aged 23 and under) and women’s blind football are particularly welcome. Furthermore, in line with the programme’s objectives, higher priority will be given to organisations applying to this programme for the first time. 

[Eligible Organisations]

– Blind football teams and clubs

– Schools for the blind

– Organisations for people with visual impairments

– National Blind Sports Federations (NFs)

– National Paralympic Committees (NPCs)

– National football associations

– Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

 

[Application Period]

17 August – 28 September at 9.00 am (Japan Standard Time)

During this period, the IBF Foundation is accepting enquiries regarding the programme and the application form.

 

[Notification and Dispatch]

Successful applicants will be notified by 9.00 am (Japan Standard Time) on 19 October at the latest, and the sports equipment is scheduled to be dispatched by 16 November.

 

About MOTHERHOUSE Co., Ltd. 

Guided by the philosophy of “Creating a World-Class Brand from a Developing Country”, we showcase the potential of developing nations to customers around the world through the manufacture of bags, jewellery, apparel, and other products. Since our establishment in 2006, we have continued to create fashion items utilising the materials and techniques of each country in a total of six nations: Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Myanmar. We operate 50 directly managed stores in Japan, four in Taiwan, and two in Singapore.