Blind Table Tennis steals show at QF's Ladies Night
Doha
The Qatar Cultural Center for the Blind hosted a blind table tennis activation at Qatar Foundation's Ladies Night on Tuesday at Education City Stadium, highlighting the power of inclusive sport and encouraging women and girls to stay active.
Qatar Foundation's (QF) Ladies Night offers a vibrant, inclusive space for women and girls aged six and above to try new sports and connect with others through a variety of free fitness classes and activities.
Maryam Alkuwari, Events and Activities supervisor at the Qatar Cultural Center for the Blind, said: 'Qatar Foundation has been a pioneer in supporting Qatari women in sports. This collaboration helps promote sports for blind women as part of a healthy lifestyle, while also increasing awareness and acceptance of inclusive athletic opportunities.
'This partnership provides a socially inclusive and culturally sensitive space for blind girls to engage in physical activity. It fosters their integration and empowers them through safe and supportive sporting environments.'
She also shared her personal experience with the sport, saying: 'I've been playing table tennis for quite some time now. I've participated in tournaments and gatherings specifically for the blind. Over time, I've learned more about the game and its rules, and I've started applying them more accurately here at the centre.
'Sports in general are highly beneficial for the blind. They help build confidence and have a positive impact on mental health and daily life. This positive impact is widely recognised. Personally, I feel that sports give me a sense of freedom — it's as if sports breathe life into everything.'
She added, 'Playing table tennis, in particular, gives a feeling of competitiveness that motivates everyone to join in, even those who don't know much about it. However, there are challenges that blind individuals face when practising even the simplest forms of exercise. For example, walking — the easiest form of physical activity — often requires someone to accompany the blind person. But if a blind person can engage in walking daily, it can truly enhance their quality of life.'
Blind table tennis is an adapted form of the sport played on a longer table with raised side edges and a ball that contains a bell for sound-based tracking. Players use rectangular bats and roll the ball under a wooden barrier that replaces the traditional net. The game relies entirely on auditory cues, with players using sound to follow and respond to the ball's movement.
Amal Adam, a participant at the event, said: 'I have been playing table tennis for one year. My friends taught me how to play, and it's very enjoyable. We have to rely on our ears – we listen because we can't see – so we need to concentrate on the sound. I play with lots of friends. When I first started learning, it was a bit difficult because I didn't know how the game was played or what to expect. But as I learned more and became familiar with it, things started to get easier.
'I'm really grateful to my friends at the centre — they've given us so much support. I truly love and enjoy sports; they bring me so much positive energy and make me feel alive. I'm very happy to be here at the Education City Stadium and I am enjoying it a lot. It's my first time at QF's Ladies Night, and it's a special experience for me. I'd definitely like to come back.'
Providing advice to others who are visually impaired, she said, 'I encourage others to try the sport if they get the chance. My advice is to keep going – do whatever you enjoy, just give it a try and don't give up. Every journey starts with challenges, but it gets easier.'
Sara Al Nasser, Third-Level Cultural Programme Researcher at the Qatar Cultural Center for the Blind, said: 'Hosting events like this is a powerful step toward integrating the blind into Qatari society. We want blind individuals to step out of their comfort zones and participate more actively in national events — especially those designed to meet their needs as people with visual impairments.'
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