‘I love football, and being blind doesn’t change that’

Ikrami Ahmad has been a fan of football, and Al Ahly SC, all his life. When the chance came to watch his favourite club in Qatar during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024, Ahmad didn’t let his visual disability stop him from taking in the beautiful game.Ahmad and other blind and partially sighted fans made use of audio descriptive commentary during the tournament.The service was made available by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) during all three matches that took place in Qatar between December 11-18."I love football, and being blind doesn’t change that. I love the unpredictability of not knowing who will win, and I love the amazing fan culture that surrounds the sport. With audio descriptive commentary, I’m able to immerse myself in the sights and sounds of being in the stadium,” said Ahmad, who previously relied on taking someone to football matches to narrate ongoings to him.Audio descriptive commentary provides blind and partially sighted fans with a detailed account of what is happening in the stadium, including where the ball is on the pitch, players’ facial expressions and what is happening in the stands.Fans were able to access the service in both Arabic and English using their own mobile devices and headphones, providing them with an extraordinary experience."We believe that football is for everyone, and that’s why we ensure that all of our events are accessible and that disabled fans play an active role in determining which accessibility features are in place,” said Jassim al-Jaidah, LOC Accessible Ticketing Manager.In addition to audio descriptive commentary, disabled fans were provided with a number of accessible seating options at both Stadium 974 and Lusail Stadium. A sensory room was also provided at Lusail Stadium, providing a quiet and controlled environment for fans with sensory needs to enjoy the match."The accessibility features that are available in Qatar’s stadiums give fans like me the opportunity to be part of the magic of these events. They also create an important legacy that has a cascading effect on the rest of society,” added Ahmad, who works full time as a Braille instructor in Qatar.Since hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar has built a robust accessible infrastructure that has extended beyond stadiums and tournament venues. This includes a fully accessible metro system, as well as ensuring that all major cultural and touristic sites offer barrier free experiences to all."We are truly lucky to live in a country that puts such an emphasis on accessibility. Not only is it something that is palpable during football tournaments, but also in every facet of life,” added Ikrami, a father of three who has lived in Qatar since 2011.