Blind man surprises fans at bawo tourney

Misheck Lobole, a blind man, was on Saturday the centre of attraction during a bawo tournament at Silver Clubhouse.

Lobole was the only visually impaired player during the Macheza Bawo Tournament that attracted 10 teams. He plays for Ngwazi Boys, a team that flopped in semi-finals.

Out of four games played at the tournament, Lobole won two in the qualifying stage.

Sponsor of the tournament Wesley Njete said he was amazed by Lobole’s performance.

“It is something amazing. His performance was superb. I did not expect he could perform in such a way being sight-challenged,” said Njete.

In an interview, Lobole, who teaches at Khilanjilu Primary School, said he was introduced to the sport in 1998.

“I had a friend Yotamu Bvumbwe who introduced me to the game while at Chayamba Secondary School. At first, I was reluctant, being a blind man, but he still encouraged me,” said Lobole

He said the only challenge he faces is poor attitude from his opponents.

“Bawo is a mind game. You need to calculate your opponent’s moves, so being blind, you touch his piece. Some opponents do not take it kindly, especially when they are under siege. The other thing is that some people see it as imaginable to lose to a blind person,” he said.

Lobole encourages other physical challenged people to join bawo, saying it is the only sport that does not need modification to accommodate them.