November 28, 2024
On November 30 – December 1, Vilnius will host a historic event – the first-ever Lithuanian Blind Tennis Championship. This event will bring together the country’s most talented players and offer the public an opportunity to learn more about this rapidly growing sport.
“Blind tennis is a sport that requires exceptional concentration, quick reactions, and intuition. We hope this championship will inspire more blind and visually impaired people in Lithuania to take an interest in this sport,” says Karolis Verbliugevičius, president of the “Blind Sport Lt” association. This sport not only promotes active movement but also boosts self-confidence, improves orientation skills, and provides great joy – every successful return of the sound-emitting ball builds self-esteem and motivates further improvement.
Blind tennis can be played by both completely blind individuals and those with partial vision. The game uses a special sound-emitting ball, and the court, net height, and rules are adapted to the players’ level of vision.
The origins of this sport date back to 1984 when Japanese student Miyoshi Takei created the sound-emitting ball and adapted tennis rules for the blind. Today, blind tennis is played in more than 24 countries worldwide, and world championships bring together the strongest athletes. In Lithuania, blind tennis began in 2021 at the “M7 Sport Balzekas Tennis Academy” courts in Vilnius, and Lithuanian athletes already participate in European and world championships.
Aidas Danilovas, vice president of “Blind Sport Lt,” emphasizes the need for greater visibility and sponsorship for this sport in Lithuania: “For more blind and visually impaired people in Lithuania to have the opportunity to play blind tennis, strong financial support and broader public backing are essential. Sponsorship would help create conditions that allow more people to train and compete.”
Blind tennis is not yet a Paralympic sport. However, the International Blind Tennis Association, of which “Blind Sport Lt” is a member represented by president Karolis Verbliugevičius, is making every effort to have this sport recognized as a Paralympic discipline.
Lithuanian Blind Tennis Championship Schedule:
- November 30, Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM at the Sports Complex Hall, Skroblų St. 3A, Vilnius. Six players from the B1 category (completely blind) will compete.
- December 1, Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM at “Teniso erdvė” courts, Žirgų St. 1, Gineitiškės, Vilnius District. Eight players from the B2-B4 categories (with partial vision) will compete.
Media Contacts:
- Karolis Verbliugevičius, President of “Blind Sport Lt”: +37065022040
- Aidas Danilovas, Vice President of “Blind Sport Lt”: +37068771714
- Facebook page: Blind Tennis Lithuania