The goalball events of the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympics Games began on Dec 7 at the Guangzhou Sports Center for Persons with Disabilities.

The goalball event. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]

A total of 101 athletes, forming 18 teams from 10 provinces and municipalities across China, are engaging in 56 intense matches over the eight-day competition.

Goalball is a sport specifically designed for athletes with visual impairments. Throughout the match, players wear eyeshades and rely entirely on their hearing to track the ball, which contains bells, using diving and blocking movements for both defense and attack. This sport places extremely high demands on athletes' auditory sense, physical coordination, and teamwork.

The Group B men's and Group A women's preliminary matches were held on the opening day, with Shanghai securing victory after a tense back-and-forth battle in the first men's match against Guangdong.

The competition venue has undergone comprehensive accessibility upgrades, becoming the first sports facility in China to receive a Three-Star certification for its barrier-free environment. Six-legged guide robots providing intelligent assistance at the venue fully demonstrate the city's humanistic approach to technology in aiding persons with disabilities and reflect the city's warmth and inclusiveness.