Visually Impaired Student Pitches Goalball for Accessible Recreation

Amnol Bhatia, far right, plays Goalball at the HPER building.

October, 2012

University Recreation?s?accessible recreation program partnered with the National Federation of the Blind to host ?Goalball? during spring 2012 in honor of National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day.

Goalball is a highly competitive sport that was originally designed for blind athletes. Participants compete in teams of three, indoors on the gym floor.

The objective is to roll a three-pound Goalball past the opposing team without them stopping the ball. If all three players miss the ball and it goes past them and into the net, it is considered a goal. The team with the most goals at the end of two 10-minute halves wins the game.

?There?s a catch to the game, you must stop the ball while you are blindfolded,? said Jessica Graham, graduate assistant for University Recreation?s Fitness/Wellness program.

The University Recreation staff decided to host Goalball after Amnol Bhatia, a visually impaired graduate student, pitched the idea to Graham. Bhatia originally wanted UREC to host the game for him and his friends, but he decided to make it a larger event and open it up to everyone.

?I want to show how fun, challenging and competitive this game is because I don?t think many people know much about the game,? Bhatia said.

??We wanted to put on an event that would be not only fun, but accessible to everyone, regardless of fitness level,? Graham said.

The second annual Goalball event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12 in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building, gym 1. This event will be free and open to the public. All equipment will be provided.?

The University Recreation accessible recreation program is for anyone who wants to gain knowledge of modifying fitness and recreational programs, or competing in the programs themselves.?Programs can be adapted for those with permanent or temporary disabilities.

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Source: http://coehp.uark.edu/colleague/11470.php

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