Miss-Delectable
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Innovation needed in matches involving deaf players
How do you referee a match where the players don’t respond to the sound of a whistle and cannot fully understand your instructions?
That is the dilemma facing veteran referee Yusuff Abdullah, 60, who has so far refereed three times and he found such matches have their own particular challenges.
Yusuff, a member of the Johor Referees Association, has been refereeing around the country for over 20 years.
He was among four referees who oversaw a nine-a-side football tournament held as part of the Johor Deaf Association’s (JDA) Family Day Carnival at Dataran Bandaraya here recently.
“I do still blow the whistle even though they probably can’t hear it,” he said, adding that most of the time they relied on flags and other visual gestures.
He added that they even have an interpreter on the sidelines especially on explain to the players the mistakes they made during the game.
“I find that deaf players are quite aggressive when on the field,” he said, adding that so far he has only issued yellow cards during the matches.
The a nine-a-side football tournament competition involved six teams comprising deaf players from Johor Baru, Pasir Gudang, Kota Tinggi, Batu Pahat, Pontian and another team called Johor State.
Pasir Gudang emerged winners after defeating the Pontian team 3-0 with all goals coming in the first half.
Pasir Gudang captain Mazni Mokhtar attributed their victory to his team’s determination and fighting spirit.
“We are all really happy as this is our first state championship and we all won by working together as one team,” he said.
Johor Baru mayor Datuk Abdul Latiff Yusof presented the medals and trophies to the winning team.
“I have never seen a deaf football match before, but I was impressed by the standard of play that I saw,” he said.
“If possible I would like more such events to showcase the talent and ability of disabled people’” he added.
JDA President Puad Salim said sports like football was an activity where the deaf could compete on almost equal terms with normal people.
Puad said his association was trying to reach out to deaf people and urged those in rural areas to get in touch with it.
“Many deaf people living in rural areas do not have access to the necessary education and support they need, so we urge them or their parents to get in touch with us,” he said.
Those interested in the Johor Deaf Association can call 07-2272700 for more information.
How do you referee a match where the players don’t respond to the sound of a whistle and cannot fully understand your instructions?
That is the dilemma facing veteran referee Yusuff Abdullah, 60, who has so far refereed three times and he found such matches have their own particular challenges.
Yusuff, a member of the Johor Referees Association, has been refereeing around the country for over 20 years.
He was among four referees who oversaw a nine-a-side football tournament held as part of the Johor Deaf Association’s (JDA) Family Day Carnival at Dataran Bandaraya here recently.
“I do still blow the whistle even though they probably can’t hear it,” he said, adding that most of the time they relied on flags and other visual gestures.
He added that they even have an interpreter on the sidelines especially on explain to the players the mistakes they made during the game.
“I find that deaf players are quite aggressive when on the field,” he said, adding that so far he has only issued yellow cards during the matches.
The a nine-a-side football tournament competition involved six teams comprising deaf players from Johor Baru, Pasir Gudang, Kota Tinggi, Batu Pahat, Pontian and another team called Johor State.
Pasir Gudang emerged winners after defeating the Pontian team 3-0 with all goals coming in the first half.
Pasir Gudang captain Mazni Mokhtar attributed their victory to his team’s determination and fighting spirit.
“We are all really happy as this is our first state championship and we all won by working together as one team,” he said.
Johor Baru mayor Datuk Abdul Latiff Yusof presented the medals and trophies to the winning team.
“I have never seen a deaf football match before, but I was impressed by the standard of play that I saw,” he said.
“If possible I would like more such events to showcase the talent and ability of disabled people’” he added.
JDA President Puad Salim said sports like football was an activity where the deaf could compete on almost equal terms with normal people.
Puad said his association was trying to reach out to deaf people and urged those in rural areas to get in touch with it.
“Many deaf people living in rural areas do not have access to the necessary education and support they need, so we urge them or their parents to get in touch with us,” he said.
Those interested in the Johor Deaf Association can call 07-2272700 for more information.