Former Liverpool star Michael Owen opened up about his son James’ degenerative eye condition, Stargardt disease, raising awareness for adaptive sports.

Emilie Mwanza

Former Liverpool star Michael Owen opened up about his son James’ degenerative eye condition, Stargardt disease, raising awareness for adaptive sports.

During an appearance on the BBC Sounds Access All podcast, Owen spoke about how the initial diagnosis, when James was eight, had led to a “sad time” having to think about his son’s future. Owen and his son were promoting the release of their new documentary, Football is for Everyone, with TNT Sports.

He added: “I would pay every cent to make James see again.”

The father and son duo delve into the world of sight loss and look at the England Partially Sighted Futsal Team ahead of the 2023 IBSA World Games in their new documentary, which premiered on 30 January.

“All are welcome, and the game can be adapted for them.”

Partially sighted football differs from blind football, as players still have some level of sight. The sport is based on the FIFA Futsal laws, a form of football played on hard pitches with small-sided teams, but has some key modifications:

  • There can only be five players on the field for each team (with a maximum squad size of ten).
  • Each half should last 20 minutes, with the clock stopping when the ball is out of play.
  • The light intensity must be equal throughout the playing area and the match.
  • The ball must contrast in colour with the pitch and lines.
  • Fully-sighted goalkeepers must not leave the penalty area.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Scott Young, Group SVP, Content, Production and Business Operations, WBD Sports Europe, said: “Football is for Everyone offers an intimate look at the obstacles many face to play the sport they love.”

Opening up the Conversation

Cricket has also been adapted for disabled athletes. Empoword Journalism spoke to Michael Hill about his experiences with adaptive cricket.

Michael Hill, 22, from Southampton, has a genetic disorder called Schimke Immuno-osseous Dysplasia (SIOD). It is a rare disease that can affect multiple systems in the body and cause the kidneys to shut down. This results in the development of hip dysplasia and arthritis.

“there is always a competitive spirit, but ultimately, we want everyone to enjoy themselves”

Michael loved to play cricket, which runs in the family and started playing for his local club at age six.

However, as Michael became progressively unwell, playing the game he loved became much harder until he learned about adaptive cricket.

Image courtesy of Nick Stenning on Flickr. No changes were made to this image. License details can be found here.

Michael said: “Disability cricket can be played by anyone who is classed as having a disability, whether it is someone who uses a wheelchair or someone with a learning disability. All are welcome, and the game can be adapted for them.”

“For example, I was unable to run, so I was allowed to have someone that would run for me,” he added.

He aims to ensure all players are “supported and encouraged to participate” in the game.

Michael felt welcome from his first session, as there was positivity and encouragement for their teammates and opponents. He believes that more coverage of adaptive sports would encourage greater inclusion and diversity.

He said: “As with any sport, there is always a competitive spirit, but ultimately, we want everyone to enjoy themselves and not be discouraged from playing.”

Football is For Everyone is now available to watch on Discovery+.

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Featured Image courtesy of  LED287 on Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to this image. License details can be found here.

A trainee multimedia journalist at Univeristy of Central Lancashire and a girl who loves the buzz of breaking news. Tottenham Hotspur through and through.

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