PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology (MSO) made a donation to the Pan Disability Football Club, which is hoping to send a team to the blind football world championship.
Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology (MSO) president Dr Manoharan Shunmugam said everyone should have an equal chance to pursue their passion.
"With the donation, MSO supports the Malaysian National Blind Football Team that is applying to go for the qualifiers at the world championship in India.
"Mr Sunny (head coach) is doing a great job in giving them a 'home', which is something that we should all recognise," he said before handing over cheque for RM10,000.
Malaysian National Blind Football Team head coach Sunny Shalesh said his players were motivated by the sport.
"They were footballers themselves, but everything crumbled when they lost their eyesight.
"But I always tell them they may have lost their eyesight, but not their vision. These guys are amazing players and they play voluntarily.
"With this support, we hope to make it to the world cup and make Malaysia proud," he said.
The former blind football goalkeeper hopes that blind people could also have an opportunity for employment as they had the skill sets to contribute.
"They are fantastic people that can do many things. One of my players is a farmer and another works at a customer care hotline centre.
"We don't want sympathy, but empathise with what Persons with Disabilities are going through," he said.