The Malta Football Association recently invited partially sighted and blind fans to enjoy a live match, as part of their CAFE Week of Action activities.

The CAFE Week of Action is an annual celebration of the many important roles disabled people can play in football, from the grassroots to the boardrooms.

During last season's CAFE Week of Action, the Malta FA hosted a disability workshop with CAFE providing a disability inclusion and etiquette training programme.

Keen to get involved again this season, the Malta FA worked in partnership with the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation to welcome four partially sighted and blind fans to attend a match.

Two companions and two guide dogs also accompanied the group, who enjoyed the match between Valletta and Hibernians.

A dedicated commentary service was provided by Malta FA Disability Access Officer Peter Busuttil and Ronald Briffa, enabling the fans to follow the game in real time and in great detail.

Leone Sciberras had attended matches at the stadium previously, and he spoke about how different his experience had been.

"My experience was totally different to the one I had a few years ago here,” Leone said after the match. “That day, I thought I was supporting the team I wanted to side with but ended up cheering for the two teams as I couldn’t really follow what was happening".

"Today’s initiative was hugely positive. It’s important that these kind of projects are continued as inclusion should occur in everything, in every breath we take. It’s nice to see that inclusion is also happening in sports".

The Malta FA continues to work with the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation, and will invite partially sighted and blind fans to attend the upcoming match between Floriana and Valletta. The Foudation's honorary secretary, Lilibeth Cachia, was delighted with the initiative.

"With your dedicated detailed explanation, they were able to follow, cheer and enjoy the atmosphere in the ground with the same enthusiasm as the rest of the supporters present", said Lilibeth.

CAFE would like to thank everyone at the Malta FA and the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation for joining us in celebrating Total Football #TotalAccess!

Published 19/03/2018