Happy September! I’m back on English soil after a month in my beautiful Greece. Sun, sea and family and some Greek treats along the way. One of these treats was meeting Elias Mastoras. An hour and half with this wonderful human.

It was a pleasure to hear about his work and vision as we sat overlooking the city of Thessaloniki. He somehow managed to find time in his busy schedule for a drink and chat before returning to Paris for the Paralympics Football 2024!

Who is Elias Mastoras?

Elias Mastoras is the current IBSA Blind Football Chairman 2021-2025 and one of the key figures behind the Paralympics Football 2024.

An adult educator and youth trainer for Erasmus + projects in Greece and Cyprus. A Fide Chess Trainer and Fide Master in chess. A World Referee Co-ordinator and a Referee in the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Games.

A Ball For All

Elias created the unique light sound ball used in the Paralympics football and is the founder of the Ball for All campaign bringing football to millions of children and adults around the world who are blind or visually impaired. His projects with UEFA and other football organisations make a fascinating read.

You will currently find Elias under the Eiffel Tower in Paris as he watches the Paralympic Football. When asked to suggest a pitch location there was no hesitation. He wanted the iconic Eiffel Tower for a sporting event like never before!

The Paralympic Football

The Paralympics football ends this Saturday. The eight teams competing for gold include Brazil, Argentina, Morocco, France, China, Japan, Turkey and Columbia.

Brazil has won every Paralympics football event and many say Jefinho is their ‘paralympic Pele’. Even so, Argentina have denied Brazil a place in the final. Host nation France will battle it out against Argentina on Saturday!

If you haven’t yet tuned in I promise, you are in for a treat. Night time games are also quite magical. Watch previous games on YouTube and tune in live. The Spirit of the Olympic games, the skillful football, the teamwork, the rule variations and innovative technology is just wonderful.

Lessons for Home and the Classroom

Teachers returning to the academic year I urge you to bring the Paralympics football into your classroom. I wonder if it has a place or already exists in the primary P.E curriculum…

Watch a game and discuss. What’s the same what’s different? What questions do children have? What do they notice? Is the focus solely on goal scoring or is there a deeper appreciation of the game? How do the crowd respect the players and game? How do they celebrate? What would a training session be like? What can we learn from this?

The charity, A Ball for All, donates footballs around the world not only for the blind but for those with sight to explore and learn about inclusive football. I have seen the ball in English schools and heard from nieces and nephews in Greece who have had football coaches lead A Ball for All training sessions.

Teamwork and Tech talk

Exploring the technology of the ball is also a great task for the classroom showing just how technology enhances lives. A silent crowd is necessary so players can hear the sound of the ball and each other.

Quiet is also needed so players can hear their coaches in the middle third. On the first and final third of the pitch a goal keeper and guide communicate with the team.

In penalties the guide behind the goal taps the goal posts before players take aim. Without sight the other senses are paramount. For a summary of the football rules watch the animation below:

https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-games/sports/blind-

Elias was also proud of the newest technology making the games more inclusive and accessible. New developments in stadium accessibility to tech that allows blind spectators to follow every detail of the game.

Vision Pads

Watch closely and you can spot vision pads in the stadium. A vision pad is a tactile tablet with a magnetic ball allowing one to follow the ball’s movement by touch and tiny vibrations. Guides and commentators are also available to give every detail for an immersive experience.

Conversations about Inclusion, Sport is for everyone

I remember taking my youngest to the Paralympics in London 2012. Watching track events, the physical strength and skill witnessed was something to remember. It’s well worth shining a light on the stories of athletes. Whether it’s a country or single athlete. Sharing individual stories develops compassion and inspires. They explore sportsmanship, resilience, dedication and hard work in a meaningful way.

How did Elias’s work into blind football and chess begin?

Elias’s own journey will inspire you. A young Fide Master in chess and at 18 a chess coach with his own Chess academy in Panorama, Thessaloniki. As a young teen and chess prodigy he travelled and met some of the greatest chess players. Elias took the coaching path, with a successful Chess academy and a high number of girls (another blog on chess is needed!) he also created Youthorama and works hard to promote chess for the blind and visually impaired.

His football career also began young. It was his dear friend and roommate of seven years Stratos, who is blind, that shaped Elias’s journey into football. Elias played as a goalkeeper in the 1999 Belarus Championships for the partially blind. He then became a referee and later co-ordinator to referees. And here we are now at the 2024 Paralympics.

After speaking to Elias I have seen how nothing is impossible. He makes things happen. As we spoke about this week with excitement and anticipation he told me about the next Paralympics in America. I’m not sure if I can share (there was so much to take in and the words ‘maybe don’t write this down’ popped up sometimes😉) but I’m so excited for the next stage of inclusive football.

Do follow him on social media and check out https://www.aballforall.com/ and https://youthorama.gr/ There is more to come!

I did ask how with his gentle manner and sweet smile he managed to achieve so much. He didn’t answer but smiled again.

I know there is also a hardworking team behind him.

Inclusion and community are not separate words for Elias. They are part of everything he does, embedded into his work and life values. In Greece and around the world, his projects support the child, the family and then there is a ripple effect that shapes attitudes in society. There are life skills and opportunities for this generation.

In Greek mastoras means craftsman.

Elias, I hope our paths cross again and I get to witness first hand the magic you create with your craft. I know my family would love to see you here in England in football mode but I think I also like option B, our families at a Greek taverna with a glass of retsina! Thank you for your time. I know Saturday is going to be amazing. Good luck and huge congratulations to you and your team! Bravo!

Where to see Elias next?

1. Make sure you tune into the Paralympics football final on Saturday.
2. Join Judit Polgar’s wonderful Global Chess Festival in Budapest or online where Elias will be talking. https://globalchessfestival.com/index.php/en/

A huge thank you to Daniel Zappe, a photographer of the Paralympics, who gave me permission to use his superb photos. These stunning photos capture priceless moments from the games. For the latest captures follow his account: https://www.instagram.com/danielzappe?igsh=b2psdDh2bHg2bjE0

Finally, I wont leave you with my words but with the words of Mr N (with his eyebrows raised) as he came downstairs and found me most mornings this week: You’re always watching football.

Ouch!

Good luck to the two teams!

Hari x