For Nailah Gajia, sports have never been just a pastime – they’ve been a way of life. Growing up surrounded by football-loving brothers, the game became an integral part of her identity. However, as someone with visual impairment, navigating the world of sport was often challenging.
“I refused to let my visual limitations stop me,” she says. From Kung Fu to netball, Nailah dedicated years of her childhood to physical activity. Yet, despite her enthusiasm, she often found these sports inaccessible. Eventually, she stepped away from playing altogether, until one transformative day in August 2024.
“In August 2024, I attended a blind football session which runs every first Saturday of the month. It was my first ever time playing blind football. It felt so nice to be playing an accessible sport,” she recalls.
“It was a bit hard to get used to at first, but then I loved it. After that session, I researched a lot about blind football, finding out so many interesting facts about it, which really inspired me – to see how very little people know about it and the lack of knowledge on it. What stood out to me was the fact that I really didn’t need my eyes for it, which might seem weird, but I actually really enjoyed it – it kind of makes you forget.”
That single session ignited a spark. Nailah began attending weekly sessions from October and, just a month later, stepped onto an official blind football pitch at an England Para Day event hosted by the FA.
“That was the day I realised I really want to do this in life – I want to continue playing and go professional.”
One of the biggest driving forces in her journey has been the presence of role models in the sport.
“Having a role model in blind football is really important because it’s like an inspiration to keep going, to not give up, and that you will get there one day. Even if I’m blind, I can still get to my dreams,” she says.
“It makes my passion even higher to continue going – watching others through social media do it, knowing one day this could be me.”
But Nailah’s path hasn’t been without obstacles.
“A challenge I’ve faced is losing a lot more of my sight in December, which did really take a toll on me and did make me want to give up. But I didn’t, I kept going and continued playing and tried my best even though it was hard,” she shares.
“Another challenge I face is that I started my pathway pretty late, I feel, which is hard – as I really feel like some days I have the passion, not the talent. Something I struggle with is my dyslexia coming in the way sometimes, which confuses me, but I try to find new ways around to try to work with it. Balancing studying and football can be difficult.”
Looking ahead, Nailah hopes to see the sport expand and evolve, especially for women.
“Women’s blind football is still really unknown, and it’s only been around since the 2000s, but only properly started in 2017, with the IBSA happening in 2023. So it’s still really new,” she says.
“In the future, I see it evolving into something that’s talked more about and more people qualifying for it, being taught about in physical education like how most sports are, and more blind people being introduced to it. Not just blind football, but more para sports – to become more known. I hope that blind football for women becomes a sport played at the Paralympics.”
For anyone just starting out in blind football, Nailah has a message:
“Don’t give up. It might be a struggle to start off with, but at the end, there’s something worth staying – e.g. developing to national teams. Even if you haven’t accepted your vision, you should keep going with para sports. Your friends might find it different, but it’s a sport that’s made accessible for you. So no matter what, keep trying and don’t let anything pull you down. And watch those content creators who share their blind football journeys and share their stories with para sports – as it’s really inspiring.”
Nailah’s dream is bold and unwavering: to one day wear the England shirt and represent her country on the blind football pitch. Her journey is just beginning, but her determination is already lighting the way.
