Deaf Coach Overcomes Odds To Train Others In Football
Updated on: Dec 03, 2020
Imagine the reaction of spectators during a football match when a goal is scored What happens in the stadium or a bar with a crowd watching the match? A cheering crowd, making noise, screaming and clapping in joy .
Now imagine a second goal this time it is the winning goal. This time round emotional intensity is at its limit, an ecstatic crowd of people can no longer control themselves, this gives way to a wave of collective joy.
To the player in the field who scored the goal, this elicits pride and in the team.
To others like Dominic Maruku, the facial expression in the celebrating crowd is enough to communicate the joy and feeling among them.
The 38-year-old who is deaf has been able to overcome this challenge and formed Laikipia Deaf Football Team which he is the coach.
During my school years, I had challenges playing football, a game that I love so much. I could not interact with my teammates during the game, Dominic says.
In 2013, Dominic formed the football team with the aim of motivating others in his situation break free and find satisfaction through playing football.
Today, the club has 16 deaf players aged between 17 and 23 who train at Nanyuki Sports Club.
I want to create a safe place where they can play during their free time since some are still in school and be able to interact freely, Dominic asserts.
He says that although he has not trained professionally as a coach, that did not thwart his plans of forming a team.
The team has been able to partner with the County Government of Laikipia through provision of football kits such as jersey and balls.
The Laikipia deaf team has played with other deaf football teams from Kakamega, Nakuru and Nairobi and have emerged winners in the competitions with two trophies. They have also had friendly matches with BATUK team where Dominic works as a carpenter.
As a coach, he has trained his team to always look at the linesman and not wait for the whistle due to their hearing problem.
He has not been trained on coaching professionally but would like to advance his career.
He texts players since some of them live far from the training ground at the sports club and sometimes experience problem of bringing them together for the exercise. Most of the team members are students who often have a challenge in transport means, owing to their widespread areas of residence.
Now imagine a second goal this time it is the winning goal. This time round emotional intensity is at its limit, an ecstatic crowd of people can no longer control themselves, this gives way to a wave of collective joy.
To the player in the field who scored the goal, this elicits pride and in the team.
To others like Dominic Maruku, the facial expression in the celebrating crowd is enough to communicate the joy and feeling among them.
The 38-year-old who is deaf has been able to overcome this challenge and formed Laikipia Deaf Football Team which he is the coach.
During my school years, I had challenges playing football, a game that I love so much. I could not interact with my teammates during the game, Dominic says.
In 2013, Dominic formed the football team with the aim of motivating others in his situation break free and find satisfaction through playing football.
Today, the club has 16 deaf players aged between 17 and 23 who train at Nanyuki Sports Club.
I want to create a safe place where they can play during their free time since some are still in school and be able to interact freely, Dominic asserts.
He says that although he has not trained professionally as a coach, that did not thwart his plans of forming a team.
The team has been able to partner with the County Government of Laikipia through provision of football kits such as jersey and balls.
The Laikipia deaf team has played with other deaf football teams from Kakamega, Nakuru and Nairobi and have emerged winners in the competitions with two trophies. They have also had friendly matches with BATUK team where Dominic works as a carpenter.
As a coach, he has trained his team to always look at the linesman and not wait for the whistle due to their hearing problem.
He has not been trained on coaching professionally but would like to advance his career.
He texts players since some of them live far from the training ground at the sports club and sometimes experience problem of bringing them together for the exercise. Most of the team members are students who often have a challenge in transport means, owing to their widespread areas of residence.
