“Messi!”
The name echoes from the balcony of the SRC Hostel at the University of Cape Coast, the designated Games Village for the Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA) Games.
Emmanuel Dela Mensah pauses, tilting his head slightly as if to pinpoint the source of the call. Leaning against the wall for support, he moves steadily toward the washroom, navigating a world he cannot see—but one he undoubtedly understands.
At just seven years old, Emmanuel’s world changed forever. Once a fully sighted child, he lost the ability to see in an instant, plunged into darkness before he had even learned to navigate the complexities of life. Yet, while his sight was taken from him, his vision for the future remained clear.
It was in 2012 that Emmanuel’s journey took a pivotal turn. Enrolled at a school for the blind, he entered a world where sound and touch became his greatest allies.
“I went to a school for the blind around 2012,” he recalls. “Every year, on March 21 and 22, they would hold inter-house sports competitions. That’s when I discovered Goalball. Sometimes they did athletics, sometimes just indoor games.”
Before the sudden downturn in Emmanuel’s life, everything seemed normal and promising. Life treated him fairly; he was under the loving care of his mother. But he would lose his sight, and his mother, in quick succession. His mother – a teacher at Osu St. Peter’s Primary School – passed away two years after he became blind.
“Stevens-Johnson syndrome,” he says of the chain of events that led to his loss of sight, tears welling up in his eyes. “I was experiencing severe headaches; my mother took me to the hospital to seek medical treatment. The next day, my entire skin had turned black, and I felt severe pain in my eyes; it felt like I was standing at the embers of death.”
“I became blind,” he concludes, a statement as simple as it is heartbreaking.
Despite this life-altering event, Goalball, a sport designed for the visually impaired, quickly captivated him. Players rely on the sound of bells inside the ball to track its movement. Initially, he was just an observer, standing at the sidelines, absorbing the endearing energy of the game.
“I met some senior players like Henry and Alhassan Aboagye,” he says. “I was only 12, so I stayed quiet. I watched and learned.”
The older athletes seemed like giants, their skill levels a distant summit he could only dream of reaching. But even then, the seeds of desire and destiny had been planted.
The Turning Point
By the time he reached Form Two, Emmanuel got his chance. It was Mr. Evans Edu Gyemfi, his Physical Education teacher—whom he still calls one of his favorites—who first recognized his potential.
“Our PE teacher told me to be patient,” he recalls. “He said, ‘One day, you will become a great player in Goalball.’”
Those words, spoken with conviction, became a promise Emmanuel was determined to fulfill. His relentless drive, skill, and flair in the game earned him the nickname “Messi” from his campus friends.
The Messi Parallel
It is – though perhaps unintentional – meaningful why Emmanuel has earned the Messi tag. Lionel Messi is arguably one of the most gifted footballers in the world. Despite standing only 5’6”, the diminutive Argentinian is fast, fearless, strong and seriously skilled. Yet his road to stardom, however, was not without struggle.
Diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at age 11, doctors predicted he wouldn’t grow taller than 4’7”. But with treatment, tenacity and talent, Messi defied the odds, rising to become a global icon.
That story deeply resonates with Emmanuel. Like Messi, his potential for prominence was nearly overshadowed by a problem.
Both had childhoods marked by devastating medical diagnoses—one affecting sight, the other, stature. And both found strength in what they chose to pursue, despite their hampering handicaps.
Goalball and football, though, are worlds apart—one relies on sound, the other on sight. Yet both their values remain similar: using brain and brawn to play ball.
Messi is a monument in football. Emmanuel, blind yet brilliant, believes to become as such in Goalball.
Life at the University of Ghana
“I study Political Science and Philosophy,” Emmanuel shares.
At the University of Ghana, Emmanuel honed his skills, unearthing what many people now consider a generational gift in Goalball. His sense of direction, precision, and ability to anticipate movements made him stand out.
During the recent GUSA Games in Cape Coast, Emmanuel spearheaded his team to a silver medal finish. Although they fell short of the championship, his quality cemented his status as one of the best in the country.
“He deserves it,” said coach Benedict Sarpei Ntreh at the close of GUSA Games. “He has passion, and if you have passion for something, you need to excel, and that’s exactly what my player did over there.”
“He tried his best with powerful throws,” the coach continued. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he was named the best scorer of the tournament. Unfortunately, goals weren’t recorded.”
Coach Benedict, who once served as technical director of the Ghana Blind Sports Association, agrees with Emmanuel about the challenges blind athletes face in Ghana.
“Sometimes when you write [to the government] for support, it is very difficult. Honestly, it is very difficult,” he said, his tone fraught with frustration.
“It’s killing the sport. Not just blind sports but lesser-known sports,” he added. “Sometimes when you need money from the government, they tell you there is no money.”
Beyond Sight, Beyond Limits
Despite the difficulties, Emmanuel remains encouraged. His aspirations stretch beyond university competition. He dreams of representing Ghana on the international stage, proving that talent knows no barriers—only opportunities waiting to be seized.
“In countries like Algeria, Brazil, and China, Goalball is taken seriously,” he says. “But here in Ghana, visually impaired sports are sidelined. The focus is always on the Black Stars.”
Spanish painter Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”
Emmanuel embodies that truth. Despite losing his natural sight, he never lost sight of the possibility of greatness. As he continues his journey, one thing is clear about his prospects in Goalball: the world around him may be invisible, but he has all that it takes to be invincible.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
- President Commissions 36.5 Million Dollars Hospital In The Tain District
- You Will Not Go Free For Killing An Hard Working MP – Akufo-Addo To MP’s Killer
- I Will Lead You To Victory – Ato Forson Assures NDC Supporters
Visit Our Social Media for More
About Author
