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Lanzagorta on the ‘imperfect balance’ between football and film

Date: May 23, 2019

Category: Football

By Sarah Nasir | For IBSA
 
Mexico’s national blind football team captain Jorge Lanzagorta has been on an incredible journey in a short period of time.
 
But as well as being one of his team’s most prolific players, Lazargorta is also a celebrated filmmaker.
 
With a degree in communications, the Mexican has collaborated on film adaptations with audio descriptions through the “Cinema to Imagine” initiative. These were presented at the Guadalajara Film Festival and Morelia International Film Festival. For this, he was awarded the State Youth Award and National Youth Award in 2013 and 2015, respectively.
 
“Finding the opportunity to move the emotions of people, which makes us recognise and work to provide us with tools and motivations to be in the world,” Lanzagorta said. “Not only to be, but share a deeper sense that makes us wake up and cling to the ideas to participate to create a better world”.
 
For the past 15 years, Lanzagorta has been living with a visual impairment due to retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic condition that effects the retina.
 
The Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games in Canada, marked Lanzagorta’s football debut. Since then, in a span of four years, he has established himself as one of the top goalscorers of the Topos Football Club.
 
As a result of his involvement in football and films, Lanzagorta is a member of the “Fucho para ciegos” (Soccer for the Blind) as well as a trainer in Cinema to Imagine. While Fucho para ciegos promotes the practice of football, coaches players and places them on teams, “Cinema to Imagine” encourages access of blind and visually impaired individuals to Mexican film.
 
Despite his love of football, both the sport and films play key roles in Lanzagorta’s life:
 
“It is very difficult, that the heart moves us on different fields that are opposed in the activities. The only way is to lead a healthy life with a lot of physical and mental effort. I still do not find the perfect balance, and I do not know if I can achieve it while life continues to allow me to compete for my country”.

Jorge Lanzagorta takes on a Thai player near the edge of the pitch
 
Mexican blind football has reached new levels of popularity in recent years. Facing world class teams like Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia has allowed them to develop the skill level and profile it enjoys today.
 
In 2018 they played at the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Blind Football World Championships, finishing in 11th place. This year they will take on the best teams in their region at the 2018 IBSA Blind Football Americas Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 4-9 June. That tournament will also offer qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
 
“Our country has struggled to grow in this sport, but anticipation for the future continues to grow and everyday that passes, the competition and the number of local teams have strengthened. We hope that soon there will continue to be more participation from sports institutions to accompany this development,” Lanzagorta said.
 
The player continues to have a positive outlook for both film and football in Mexico:
 
“They are comforting and necessary activities that teach us a lot about the world and how to live. We still have a long way to go, and I hope that each day, both pursuits continue to grow to reach more people with visual disabilities”.
 
Sao Paulo 2019 will feature six teams all vying for the regional title and a place at Tokyo 2020. Mexico will take on world champions Brazil, defending title-holders Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru between 4-9 June.

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