Czechia: Praise for the national deaf futsal team

The team’s great success in qualifying for the 5th World Deaf Futsal Championships in Brazil this coming November earned them the prize for the best grassroots social event of 2022. The prize was awarded at a grassroots football gala evening, where the FAČR honoured the best players and achievements within non-professional football and futsal.

One of the FAČR´s objectives is to break down barriers in sport and help everybody to fulfil their potential regardless of their level, age, ability or disability so that they can inspire others. The association currently has 19 ongoing social projects. One of its prominent partners in this regard is the Czech deaflympic committee, which the FAČR has been assisting with preparations for the World Championships in Brazil.

Senior team support

The Czech men’s senior football team also got involved in supporting the deaf athletes in September 2022 before their UEFA Nations League match against Portugal, at which the pre-match press conference was also interpreted in sign language.

The team also donated 20 tickets for the match against Portugal to children with hearing disabilities.

“All children, without exception, who play football deserve our support. And children with disabilities deserve it even more. When we learned that children with hearing disabilities were coming to support us, we were all really pleased. Hopefully, events like this will help draw attention to these small big heroes,“ said captain Tomáš Souček.

This article originally appeared in UEFA Direct 201