What is Cerebral Palsy Football?

Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that affects a person's movement and posture in different ways that can impact body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance.

Because there are different degrees of physical impairment, to ensure fair competition, cerebral palsy athletes are classified under a system that functionally assesses and assigns them to a sports class (5 to 8 – the lower the class number, the more severe the physical impairment) where their abilities will be functionally similar to those of other athletes in the same class.

In Cerebral Palsy Football (or CP Football), each team must field at least one class 5 athlete and only one class 8 player is allowed on the field of play at any one time.

Instead of 11, there are seven players on the field, and the playing field and goals are smaller. There is no offside rule and throw-ins may be made with just one hand. Matches consist of two halves of 30 minutes each.

The 9th Asean Para Games will be in Singapore from Dec. 3 to 9, 2015.

We find out a little bit about the team, through the words of their players and coach:

1. Khairul Anwar Bin Kasmani, 29, student at Republic Polytechnic, team captain & centre defender

“In 2014 edition of the games that was played in Naypyidaw, Burma, we were able to clinch the Silver medal. This year, it’s extra special because the games The 8th Asean Para Games will be played in Singapore. We are all very determined to clinch the gold.

Football is my life. It’s my passion, When I am on the field, I give my 100 per cent. This team, it’s not just a team to me, it’s my family.

There are no stars in CP football. We all face different physical challenges on the field. Some of the players have problems balancing themselves, some find it difficult to change directions, so we have to maximize everyone’s strengths. Unlike other teams, we do not have a Class 8 player in the team, so myself and Mubarak (Vice-Captain of the team), as class 7 players, our role is to run extra hard to make up for the lack of mobility of our other teammates.”

2. Muhammad Mubarak Bin Mohd Rastam, 23. Part-time tutor, vice-captain & centre midfielder

“We started preparing for the tournament at the start of this year, after a short rest from the end of the last tournament in Naypidaw. We train three to four times a week. It can be exhausting at times, because unlike normal players, physically we suffer more after the training sessions.

But I don’t want to complain, because football has given me many things. It has really helped me to build my confidence. Before I got into the game, I was a shy and reserved person, but now I am more vocal, I have a lot more friends, from the game. I have learnt so much about teamwork. Especially this year, as Vice-Captain of the team, I learn about leadership as well.”

3. Mohammad Zainudeen Hassan, 46, full-time coach and coaching instructor

“It was a challenge for me to find enough players to form the team. I am always keeping a look out for potential players to invite to our trainings. Jerry (Jeremiah Tan) was playing football at my void deck and I scouted him to join the team.

I found Shafiq (Muhammad Shafiq Bin Ariff) in the mosque! I went to ask him if he was interested in trying out CP football. He was quite reluctant as first but I managed to persuade him to come down for one training and he has been a godsend ever since. He improved very quickly and his personality has been fantastic for the team. He’s the joker of the team.

I am really proud of these boys. They have been really fantastic to coach. They are committed and extremely eager to learn.

We are really thankful for the support which has really started to come in for the team. At the very start, we were unable to get even get jerseys for the team and then Dreamatron Sport, a local brand, came in to sponsor our kit, and just this week, the Japanese community surprised the team with tickets to watch the National Team play Japan at the Sports Hub. Some of our players have never been to the Sports Hub so it’s a wonderful gesture.

I really hope Singaporeans will come out to support the team and all the other Para-Athletes in December.”

Jeremiah Tan, 20, student at LaSalle, striker, and Muhammad Shafiq Bin Ariff, 22, student at RP, midfielder

Top photo by Lim Weixiang for Mothership.sg

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