MIAMI – Oseas De Leon has big goals. He wants to be a national soccer champion. A rigorous training and nutrition schedule can be challenging for any soccer athlete. For De Leon, who lost his sight at age 3, it requires double the effort and concentration.
“I recently found a guide that is helping me work on my speed in the field,” said De Leon. “Also, I am working daily on my ball mastery skills, on better nutritious choices to be more competitive to be considered for the blind soccer national team.”
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Last month, De Leon came closer to realizing that dream. More than 150 participants took part in the USA Blind Soccer - Kickoff for Inclusion event at Little Havana’s Soctainer facility.
De Leon, a current instructor and former student of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired, was at the event teaching participants fundamental blind soccer drills. He also participated in the blind soccer demonstration to showcase his athletic ability.
“My dream is that all our students, starting at age 1 through high school, have the opportunity to regularly play blind soccer,” said Virginia Jacko, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired President and Chief Executive Officer. “Currently, the most popular sport in Miami would not be accessible to the blind, however, the USABA is not letting that happen.”
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired teamed up with the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) to champion this opportunity for play equity and accessibility. The event was part of the nationwide Building Blind Soccer initiative funded through the U.S. Soccer’s Innovate to Grow grant to expand the sport at the grassroots level.
Building Blind Soccer sites have already been established in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Columbus, Charlotte and Baltimore, with Miami the next to join the lineup.
De Leon is working to earn a spot on the 2024 USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team to hopefully make his Paralympic debut at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
“Overcoming daily obstacles has become my forte, and being part of this team will not just be a personal victory but a source of pride for my friends and family in Miami,” said De Leon.