Blind footballers targeting a gold

3:00pm Saturday 6th September 2008

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WORCESTER’S Lee Greatbatch is targeting Beijing gold as he goes in search of Paralympic glory at his maiden Games appearance in China.

The 24-year-old student, who lost his sight aged four and also suffers from diabetes, has been included in Great Britain’s blind football squad for China.

Greatbatch, who has represented England at European and World Championships and studies sport and exercise science at Worcester University, is convinced Team GB can top the podium in Beijing.

“We can win the gold definitely,” said Greatbatch, who suffered Athens Paralympic heartache four years ago when England were denied the chance to perform under the banner of Great Britain after protests from the Welsh and Scottish Football Associations.

“If we don’t aim high then we won’t get there. We have to show the other teams what we are made of and come back with the gold medal.

“We have competed against the likes of Brazil and Argentina and they are very tough as are Spain — they are our closest rivals.

“But hopefully we can go out there and beat the likes of China and Korea and then give Brazil and Argentina a run for their money and very possibly walk away with the gold medal.”

Greatbatch, a Port Vale fan, was part of the Great Britain team who came second at last year’s European Championships, just missing out on winning the title in Greece after suffering defeat in the final against favourites Spain.

Finishing in the final two at the European Championships guaranteed Britain’s inclusion at the Paralympics.

Greatbatch is one of four blind outfield players in a squad of 10 with ball-bearings inside the football aiding the players through sound.

“I am feeling a bit nervous — it is the biggest competition in the world,” he added. “When I think about it, I get a big adrenaline rush and am very excited.

“This is my first Paralympic Games and the fact that this is the first time that five-a-side has been included in the Games makes it a double honour for me. “ Greatbatch will be joined in the Far East by fellow Worcester stars Ajmal Ahmed, William Norman and Keryn Seal as well as Hereford-based Westfields goalkeeper Jonathan Pugh.

Norman, who only began playing nine months ago, admitted he is relishing the chance to rub shoulders with the world’s best in Beijing.

“I am still relatively new to the game but I have done quite well and it is an honour to go to the Paralympics,” he said.

“It won’t be as hot when we get there — the temperature will drop off a couple of degrees and I don’t think the humidity will play a big role.

“But we want to focus on the competition — we have a strong squad and our aim is go to out and do ourselves justice.”