Each Thursday we want to put the spotlight on a person involved with goalball – from players, officials to coaches, or anyone!
We want to use this opportunity where we have a bit more time on our hands to get to know you all a little bit better before getting back on the court!
This week we caught up with Mohammed Salim Patel!
What club do you play for or coach?
I play for the newly established Blackburn Goalball Club.
How did you discover goalball?
I first came across goalball when at a boarding school, for blind and partially sighted people, in Liverpool. We played it a few times as part of P.E classes. I enjoyed it and the challenges it creates in terms of relying heavily on communication and orientation, but I didn’t know then it could be played competitively. I live in Blackburn and there are very few opportunities for people who are visually impaired to play sport in and around the local area so I’ve been working with Goalball UK to set up a club.
Is there a particular song, artist or genre that you listen to before a tournament to get in the mood? Or anything you’re loving at the moment?
You can’t beat a bit of rap to get you psyched-up to throw some balls and get hit in the face!
Do you have any pre-game superstitions or rituals?
Often chest beating and winding my fellow teammates up to get them ready to release their power shots.
(Sal interviewing two time heavyweight world champion, Tyson Fury!)
Do you have a favourite post-match meal?
It seems like a stop-off at McDonalds happens every time we play. Blame my team mates for that. But we deserve it right after our displays on court?
Which goalball player do you admire the most and why?
Amelia (Meme) Robertson because she’s very young but extremely committed and passionate which I am sure has helped her to reach the GB Women’s Squad! Meme is a Lancashire lass too so it has to be her!
(Meme Robertson is on the right, while Megan Smithson Booth is on the left).
Outside of goalball, what other hobbies/sports do you do?
I love following and watching boxing. I’d do it if it was adapted for the blind too. I also play blind tennis and do scuba-diving in Lancaster with Morecambe Area Divers – that’s great fun and it’s fully accessible to a totally blind person. Curly and the team there are ace.
Finally, what place, anywhere in the world, is on your bucket list to visit and why?
PortAventura World and Ferrari Land in Spain because I’m a really big adrenaline junkie and they have some amazing rides. So do America and I’d love to go there too on a theme park trip. Anyone fancy joining me?
If you would like to be featured in a future ‘Featured Thursday’ get in contact via our social media, or email: enquiries@goalballuk.com