FANCY FOOTWORK: A Shaanxi Blind Football Team player dribbles the ball (QIN ZHENZI)

Hold on to dreams

The kids dream of going national.

Established in November 2006, China's Blind Football team won silver at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 and gold at the Asian Blind Football Championships a year later.

More importantly, it has been a source of encouragement for the Shaanxi team for years. In their spare time, their favorite topics center on football.

"I have never missed a World Cup match or European Championship," said Liu Bo who immediately rose and spoke with his eyes sparking. Liu is a 16-year-old boy who has played for Shaanxi for one year. He often finds himself glued to the radio at midnight listening to the nuances of commentary on major football matches.

Fifteen-year-old Fan Changjie has played on the team for three years and represented Shaanxi in the national championships each time.

Having realized their physical disadvantages in competitions, Fan said he wish to grow faster and stronger and to be more competitive in the upcoming match.

A scab on Fan's knee breaks open as he bends his legs, and a trickle of sweat mingles with the red. But he keeps running, unperturbed by the sight of blood.

(Source: China Youth Daily)