USING COMPETITION AS MOTIVATIONAL TOOL

Introducing elements of competition can significantly enhance motivation in sports activities, even in non-professional or recreational settings.

Children with disabilities, and especially those with visual impairments, often have few opportunities to participate in competitive contexts and may rarely experience situations where they can challenge themselves, contribute to a team result, or feel cheered on by others.

Participating in a competition allows blind or visually impaired children to:

• Test their abilities in a stimulating environment
• Feel part of a team, for example, by earning points and contributing to a shared goal
• Experience the excitement of support, such as hearing teammates or spectators cheer for them
• Learn how to cope with both success and failure, developing emotional resilience and sportsmanship.

Importantly, competition doesn’t have to mean formal tournaments. It can also be introduced in training sessions through playful, team-based challenges such as:

• Relays
• Timed obstacle courses
• Team point-based games.

These activities maintain a light-hearted atmosphere while offering the motivational benefits of competition, engagement, focus, and a sense of achievement.