Speaking at the RNIB Model of Excellence Awards Ceremony in Holiday Inn, Belfast the Minister said: “Blind and partially sighted people are an important section of society and need to be included in sport, culture and arts. The IFA is to be congratulated for winning this award. It is playing its part in ensuring that everyone, regardless of their physical condition, can get the chance to play football and to enjoy matches at Windsor Park through the Soccer Sight scheme.”
The Minister said that the benefits of sport for the disabled people are well documented and, “apart from improving fitness, exercise can also help with mobility and increase social interaction and confidence.”
The Minister concluded: “The 10 year Sports Strategy which I will launch in the coming months, has identified participation of disabled people in sport as a major issue to be addressed over the coming 10 years. The IFA is leading the way and I challenge other governing bodies of sport to follow its example.”
Notes to Editors:
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