Jamal Bhuiyan joins visually impaired children at Camp Abilities Bangladesh

Bangladesh national football team captain Jamal Bhuiyan joined visually impaired children on the pitch at the Riya Gope Women's Sports Complex in Dhanmondi this week.

Blindfolded, he played football with participants of Camp Abilities Bangladesh 2025 and experienced the challenges of playing the game without sight. The three-day inclusive sports camp was held from December 11 to 13.

Bhuiyan interacted with around 50 children taking part in the camp. After the match, he said, "Visually impaired or people with any disabilities should be able to participate in sports and all aspects of life. They are part of the society and we should not ignore their plight to be included". He said the experience reflected the camp's theme, "Sports Without Limits."

The camp was organised by Heroes for All in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Assistance for Blind Children. This was the second edition of the programme, following its first edition in January 2018.

Rehnuma Karim, Founder and President of Heroes for All, said the camp works to challenge stigma around visual impairment. She said, "Despite disabilities, every kid has potential. The kids at the camp needed that space in which they too can feel normal through participating in different sports and build their confidence to do anything that they dream off ."

The programme included adapted cricket, football, goalball and paired races. Training was led by Lauren Lieberman, Founder of Camp Abilities USA, and Melissa Bittner, with support from Sanowar Ahmed and Mahmudul Haque Rony. Each child was paired with a counsellor or volunteer.

The closing ceremony on December 13 brought together officials and guests. Shaikh Mohammad Jobayed Hossain, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, attended as chief guest. Khair Ahmed Choudhury from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Vashkar Bhattacharya from the a2i Programme were present as special guests.

A cultural programme by the participants concluded the event. A vote of thanks was delivered by Ismail Hossain Siraji, General Secretary of Assistance for Blind Children.