The Deaf Football (Men's 11-a-side) event of the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) is being held from May 15 to May 25 at Foshan Century Lotus Sports Center and Nanhai Sports Center.
On May 17th, the opening match of this event took place at the Nanhai Sports Center, with the Guangdong Team defeating the Yunnan Team 2-0.
As the first summer event of this year's NGD & NSOG, the deaf football competition has drawn 216 athletes from 12 teams nationwide, accompanied by 69 staff members and 50 technical officials, bringing the total participant count to 335.
During the games, spectators and athletes will also enjoy a variety of cultural performances at Nanhai Sports Center, including traditional lion dances, showcasing the rich Lingnan culture of Foshan.
In terms of infrastructure, Foshan has completed the accessibility upgrade project for both major venues. New accessible seating, signage, and support facilities have been added. At Century Lotus Sports Center, the city has comprehensively upgraded its fire safety and power systems, reinforced structural components, laid a new professional football turf, and installed four accessible elevators, six barrier-free restrooms, and 76 accessible spectator seats.
Nanhai Sports Center has undergone a full accessibility upgrade covering seven systems, including pathways, restrooms, and tactile paving. The center also features sign language interpretation and high-contrast signage, ensuring a barrier-free experience for both athletes and spectators with disabilities.
Reporter: Dai Bosi
Photo: NGD & NSOG
Editor: Hu Nan, James, Shen He
