日韩精品久久一区二区三区_亚洲色图p_亚洲综合在线最大成人_国产中出在线观看_日韩免费_亚洲综合在线一区

Global EditionASIA 中文雙語Fran?ais
World
Home / World / Asia-Pacific

Kicking home disability message

China Daily | Updated: 2018-04-04 09:26
Share
Share - WeChat
Goalkeeper Eman Sulaeman attempts a save during a futsal (five-a-side indoor soccer) match in Indramayu, Indonesia, on Feb 3. [Photo/Agencies]

One-legged goalkeeper inspiring fans all over world

INDRAMAYU, Indonesia - When Eman Sulaeman begged his parents to let him play soccer, the couple worried their young son - born with no feet and just one full leg - would be mocked.

But two decades later, the 30-year-old Indonesian goalkeeper is wowing crowds at home and abroad with his "catlike" reflexes, and sending a powerful message about people with disabilities.

"I cried for days, begging them (my parents) to buy me a ball," he said at a recent match in the small town of Indramayu, some 220 kilometers east of Jakarta.

"They relented and went out to find me a cheap plastic ball."

Sulaeman's fans came out in force at a recent match at a local court for futsal - a five-a-side game played on a hard pitch with hockey-sized goals and a less bouncy ball.

They snapped pictures and cheered as Sulaeman protected his net by shifting quickly on stumps and his one leg - the other limb is missing from the knee down.

Cheers turned into a roar as he kicked the ball into the back of the other team's net, capping off a win for his side.

Young fans waited for a selfie with their hero.

"He is very inspiring," said 18-year-old Muhammad Faisal Bahri.

"Although he's physically very different from the rest of us, his spirit remains strong. He really motivates me."

'Really touched'

It hasn't been easy for Sulaeman - a big fan of former Manchester United keeper Edwin Van Der Sar and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo - who had to train tirelessly to get where he is.

"I spent a long time learning to walk in balance before I was able to kick the ball," he said.

Sulaeman's perseverance paid off, with friends asking him to join the local soccer team as he completed an electronic engineering degree.

"Soccer for me is just like my wife. My girlfriend is even jealous of it because I love it too much," he laughed.

Still, some were not convinced.

"At my first tournament, the other team's manager doubted me and asked if I really could play," he said.

Despite the challenges posed by his birth defect, Sulaeman never considered wearing prosthetic legs.

"I don't even like wearing shoes. The only time I wore shoes was for a match in Scotland," he said, adding that it was to allay organizers' safety concerns.

In 2016, he joined the Indonesian team at the Homeless World Cup in Glasgow.

The annual soccer tournament is aimed at raising awareness about homelessness and usually involves homeless players as well as drug addicts, asylum-seekers and disabled athletes.

An instant sensation, Sulaeman was crowned the competition's best goalkeeper.

"It was unreal. My first time ever being abroad and I was named the best goalie," he said.

"The crowds and even all the organizing committee members clapped for me. I was really touched."

British media at the time praised Sulaeman and his "catlike reflexes".

"Soccer really embraces every part of our society," he said.

"People with disabilities like me and poor people can all unite without being looked down upon or stigmatized."

Paralympic dream

Sulaeman's talents have caught the attention of West Java's sports agency, lifting hopes that the government might boost its support for disabled athletes.

"We've recently learned that our disabled athletes have extraordinary skills and they have opened our eyes that if they're given equal opportunities, they can achieve anything," said agency spokesman Dani Ramdan.

Sulaeman - who runs an electronics repair shop - is determined to spread his love for the sport by establishing a futsal lover's community in his hometown Majalengka and coach soccer at several local junior high schools.

He dreams of competing in a major event like the Paralympic Games one day, and hopes that he will continue to be an inspiration for other disabled athletes.

"We must stay confident and motivated to bring out the potential in ourselves," he said.

"Although we (disabled people) have limitations, within those limitations there are extraordinary things."

Agence France - Presse

Most Viewed in 24 Hours
Top
BACK TO THE TOP
English
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349
FOLLOW US
主站蜘蛛池模板: 欧美日韩亚洲在线 | 黑粗硬大欧美 | 2022国产成人精彩在线视频 | 精品成人免费一区二区在线播放 | 免费成人午夜视频 | 国产视频网 | 精品无码国产一区二区日本 | 天天摸天天揉天天碰天天弄 | 欧美成人a∨高清免费观看 毛片特级 | 日本三级一区二区三区 | 国产精品久久久久免费 | 小草社区影院 | 亚洲精品黄色 | 精品视频第一页 | 在线 丝袜 欧美 日韩 制服 | 免费国产免费福利视频 | 视频精品一区 | 日韩99 | 成人久久久 | 国产四区 | 天天拍天天干天天操 | 一区二区三区四区亚洲 | 欧美日本一道高清二区三区 | 狠狠av| 精品久久久爽爽久久久AV | 奶子吧naiziba.cc免费午夜片在线观看 | 91免费版在线看 | 欧美日韩中文国产一区发布 | www.国产一区 | 韩国福利影院 | 99热这里有免费国内精品 | 国产一区二区三区免费 | 日本免费在线视频 | 成人性视频免费网站 | 久草新视频| 国产欧美一区二区成人影院 | 亚洲一区中文字幕 | 日日骚 | 欧美亚洲精品在线 | 国产欧美日韩亚洲精品区2345 | 精品一区二区久久久久久久网站 |