By Denis Logonyi - 05 Nov 2025
There were jubilations at the Buluk Eye Centre from the visually impaired community, persons living with disabilities, and well-wishers as the Bright Stars team arrived back from Kampala, Uganda on Friday 31 November, 2025, where they participated in the Blind Football African Championship.
The team journeyed over 10 hours from Juba to Kampala, and returned as champions! The Hamz Stadium Nakivubo was filled with celebrations from both the team and South Sudanese supporters in Kampala as they secured a 3-0 victory against the host team, Uganda, in the final.
During the championship match against Uganda, Martin Ladu (shirt number 10) opened the scoring with a powerful penalty, followed by his second goal. Yona Sabri Ellon (shirt number 7) then scored the third goal, sealing their impressive win.
It’s worth noting that the goalkeeper of the blind football is sighted and plays a crucial role in guiding the defenders. The coach directs players in the midfield, while a guide positioned behind the goal helps strikers chase the clicking sound of the ball.
While growing up, Sabri, who emerged as the tournament’s top scorer, had lost hope and stayed home. However, with support from Light for the World, he was encouraged to play again and became an inspiring presence, constantly motivating his teammates during the game.
“We have trust in ourselves, we are confident, we believe in what our coaches have given us, the tactics, and whatever things that we have been trained,” he reiterated.
Despite the weather challenges encountered in Kampala, the team successfully secured a win. Sabri’s vision is for South Sudan to be ranked as the best blind football team in Africa and worldwide.
“Not only in Africa but the best team in the world, and this is our prayer, and we are very hopeful we are going to make it through.”
Sabri also appealed for government support to provide a suitable playground for the institution. He noted that the Dr. Biar playground is very expensive, which could increase costs for Light for the World if South Sudan hosts future blind football competitions.
“It’s very expensive, that’s why sometimes we just do training for one hour, sometimes one training per day, it’s because of the playground, so we need to have a specific playground for blind football,” appealed Sabri.
He expressed his satisfaction that the game, which he started in 2020, is positively changing perceptions, particularly addressing the negative attitudes some South Sudanese hold towards persons with disabilities.
Sabri hopes to emerge as the best player in Africa and globally through this sport.
“You know, before we came here (Kampala), they were calling us with different names, they said the sighted team failed to make history, so who are we to make history? And now we proved them wrong, that the history has already been made,” he noted.
He urged the government to pass the law on the protection of persons with disabilities to ensure that inclusive sports are fully recognized in the country.
Akim Chris, the Vice President of the South Sudan National Paralympic Committee, stated that parliament has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the next step is its implementation.
Chris accompanied the team to the game, emphasizing that this is a significant victory for the team as they prepare to qualify for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
“Even if we will not compete in the first division next time, we are already going to Los Angeles, and this is the path that the blind football is putting for each and every other federation that we have in South Sudan,” he noted.
Among the team members, 19-year-old Moses Mayiik Chok expressed his joy. He traveled from Twic Mayardit to join the training camp in Juba before proceeding to Kampala for the tournament.
Chok is determined to win and is committed to training for the first division.
“I had hope that we were going to win, and I am happy that we have really done exactly that” he reiterated.
Coach Simon Madol Akol attributed the team’s championship win to their remarkable resilience, a quality he feels was often overlooked by those who doubted the strength of persons with disabilities and the team.
“This victory is not just a win; this win reflects our strength, unity, and the strong belief that disability does not mean inability,” he noted.
Akol described this victory as a proud and historic moment, not only for South Sudan Blind Football but for the entire nation, as it marks their first Blind Football African Championship title.
He also emphasized the urgent need for increased funding due to the team’s current limited resources. additionally, Akol is appealing to the government for their support to help further develop the game and enable the team to achieve more victories.
During the tournament, several players delivered outstanding performances. Sabri scored six goals, earning him the title of Best Player of the Tournament. Martin Ladu was also recognized as the Best Player of the Tournament. Additionally, Sokiri Bepo, the South Sudan blind football goalkeeper, had an exceptional performance, with no goals scored against him throughout the tournament.
The win at the 2025 IBSA Blind Football Africa Division Two tournament at Hamza Stadium, qualifies the South Sudanese team for Division One.
The tournament saw eight teams register for Division Two, but only three participated: South Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. South Sudan secured victories against Uganda (3-0) and Zimbabwe (2-0) before meeting Uganda again in the finals.
This incredible journey for blind football in South Sudan began under a disability sports program led by Light for the World. The team’s participation in the championship was a collaborative effort, led by the South Sudan Association of Visually Impaired (SSAVI) in partnership with Light for the World and the adidas Foundation, as part of the United by Sport program.