Fundraising for Goalball Team to Participate in European Championship
In a bold step towards taking on the world, Portugal's visually impaired goalball team is leaving no stone unturned in their quest for global domination. Led by the fearless Luís Gestas, president of ANDDVIS – the National Association of Sports for the Visually Impaired – the team is currently battling it out in the European first division, a significant leap from their historical positions between the second and third divisions.
This impressive journey doesn't stop in Europe. Their eyes are set on the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, and they've kicked off a crowdfunding campaign of 10,000 euros to finance their participation in the 2025 European Championship in Lahti, Finland, from September 28 to October 6. This event is a crucial stepping stone en route to their ultimate goal.
Luís Gestas doesn't believe in setting limits, especially when it comes to his team. He's not about to whine about lack of funds or blame others for not meeting expectations. Instead, he's rolling up his sleeves and chasing every possible solution to give his team the best possible working conditions.
"We could sit back and criticize everyone and everything for not having what we need, but I prefer to fight and work with my board, my team, my coaches, and these athletes to find solutions to achieve our goals," he asserted.
Luís Gestas is confident that this may well be the golden generation of Portuguese goalball. With a stellar team and a determined spirit, the Paralympic Games dream is no longer just a pipe dream – it's an ambition.
This crowdfunding initiative, attracting interest from companies and individuals, is outlined at www.porportugal.pt. The outcome of this campaign will be crucial in supporting the team through two stages of preparation – the experience and fine-tuning of the two training camps in Lahti.
Goalball is a thrilling, ball-centric sport played by visually impaired athletes – they play blindfolded. The team has been honing their skills at the Pocinho High Performance Center in Vila Nova de Foz Coa, with exceptional conditions, but at a high financial cost. They've also been making use of the facilities provided by the navy at the Alfeite naval base.
This Euro will serve as a unique opportunity for the team to demonstrate their talent, resilience, and team spirit. As Luís Gestas puts it, "We are talking about a sport with athletes who are proud to represent Portugal in international competitions."
So, let's rally behind this golden generation of goalballers, contribute to their crowdfunding campaign, and cheer them on as they strive to break the long drought of a collective Portuguese team participating in the Paralympic Games. #VivaPortugal #GoGoalball #ParalympicsBound
Portugal's goalball team, aiming for global success, is not only focusing on the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles but also targeting the 2025 European Championship in Lahti, Finland. Luís Gestas, their president, is spearheading this effort, with a football-like ambition for his team to conquer Europe and make a mark at the European Championship. Despite the financial challenges, he's leading an initiative to raise 10,000 euros through crowdfunding, with the hope of providing the best possible training conditions for his team.
