September 16 – With the Rio Paralympic Games in full swing, the Johan Cruyff Foundation has opened a Special Cruyff Court for blind and visually impaired people on the premises of Urece, an organisation that gives blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to play sports.
Opened by the Dutch Minister for Health and Sports, Edith Schippers, accompanied by Susila Cruyff, daughter of Johan Cruyff, and Anderson Dias, chairman of Urece, the facility has been funded by the Amsterdam-based foundation. Philips installed the lighting and AkzoNobel provided the paint.
The size of this Special Cruyff Court, sited in Nova Iguaçu in the state of Rio de Janeiro, is adjusted to the sizes for blind football (20x40m) and has extra room for a ‘slow down’ area. The ground is hardened, including the lines, making the court fit for goalball. Also extra goalball goals are added and a mounted plaque with the 14 rules of Johan Cruyff in braille.
The Johan Cruyff Foundation has so far opened more than 200 Cruyff Courts and 38 Special Cruyff Courts in neighbourhoods that lack facilities for children to play. This is the second Cruyff Court in Brazil, the first was opened in Sao Paulo in 2010.
“Through Cruyff Courts, Schoolyard14, and sports projects for children with a disability, we want to motivate children to get active,” said a foundation statement.
Johan Cruyff was motivated by a desire to provide safe places for children to play sport and football in particular, and hence developed the Cryuff Court concept that has been embraced worldwide. The foundation motto is a very simple but direct statement: ‘Because children should be active’.
Dutch Minister Schippers said: “The Netherlands and Brazil have a strong sports culture in common. We admire the Brazilian football culture. And we know that Dutch sports and especially Dutch football is highly respected by Brazilians. I am very proud to be here and open this Special Cruyff Court as a demonstration of our common sports culture. But there is more. With this Special Cruyff Court, where blind and visually handicapped children can play and sport, the Johan Cruyff Foundation gives something to Brazil as a tribute the Paralympic Games that are currently in Brazil. Now the children here can truly discover what sport they like most”.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1713582645labto1713582645ofdlr1713582645owedi1713582645sni@n1713582645osloh1713582645cin.l1713582645uap1713582645