Kurdish Goalball unites Turkiye, Iran, and Iraq – IBSA International Blind Sports Federation

The Iranian Kurdish city of Senandaj hosted the second edition of the international Goalball tournament, but the first after the participating countries signed the protocol to work together in the promotion and development of the sport.

Iran, Iraq, and Turkiye agreed to organise every year in the Kurdish region the international Goalball tournament in order to create opportunities for blind athletes to play in a different level of competition.

Every country will participate with two teams, and this year, on the court playing for the title were the teams of Iraq, Van, Nadi Roj, Diyarbakir, Kurdistan A, and Kurdistan B.

In the final of the tournament, the Turkish team of Diyarbakir and the Iraqi team of Nadi Roj couldn’t get a more balanced match, with 12-12 in regular time. The final was decided with a golden goal, and Diyarbakir was the winner.

One of the other topics agreed upon by the three countries was to deliver clinics for coaches and referees. This time, there was a referee course conducted by Aurora Zanolin, the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee chairperson. 10 people attended, and four got their international level 1 degree, and another four got upgrades to level 2.

“This protocol and its materialisation are one perfect example of the good things that can come from cooperation. I congratulate Turkiye, Iran, and Iraq for this wonderful step forward, not only for the promotion but, above all, for the development of sports for blind people. Goalball may be the best for it because it was designed specifically for people with this kind of disability, which is far from an obstacle to physical activity”, said Aurora Zanolin.

In line with the rotation system agreed upon between the three countries to host the international tournament, Turkiye should be the member to organise the next competition’s edition.