Gao Rixiao (right), deputy coach of the Hainan Hailong Football Team, explains the movements to the team members in sign language on the sidelines (photo taken on September 13). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Liyun
Haikou, 3 Dec (Xinhua) -- The sun on Hainan Island in December was still hot, and on the green field, Gao Rixiao wore the "99" jersey, crossed the midline, and scored a goal. He opened his arms, smiled brightly and quietly ran around the pitch to celebrate the goal.
Gao Rixiao, 40, is a deaf-mute football player, deputy coach of the Hainan Hailong Football Team, and president of the Hainan Provincial Association for the Deaf. Football brought him out of the haze of disability and lit up his life.
At the age of 2, due to severe high fever and improper medication, Gao Rixiao lost his hearing and language expression ability. He used to "hate himself and hate his parents, feel unhappy in life, and long to be loved."
In the summer of 1994, Gao Rixiao happened to see a football game on TV, and he did not understand the rules of football at that time when he was still in a special education school, but he was very fascinated and found deaf and dumb friends in the school to play football together.
"My parents were worried I would get hurt when I played football, but they were relieved to see that kicking made me so happy. Football brings light and hope to my life. Gao Rixiao said with a smile.
The Sea Dragons football team is a team made up entirely of deaf and mute people. For Gao Rixiao and his players, football is not only a stage to show themselves, but also a bridge between the deaf and the public. On weekdays, they will also contact other teams in the community to organize friendly matches, exchange skills, and meet friends with the ball.
Hainan Hailong football team members in training (photo taken on September 13). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Liyun
The Hailong football team has participated in the National Deaf Football Championship many times and has achieved impressive results. "Our football team has represented Hainan in national competitions 13 times and has had many brilliant moments." Gao Rixiao said that this year, the team participated in the 11th National Paralympic Games and won the seventh place.
Li Bangyong, head of the Propaganda, Culture and Sports Department of the Hainan Provincial Disabled Persons' Federation, has the most contact with Gao Rixiao on weekdays. "The players often train in hot and humid environments, they work hard and they have achieved impressive results."
Li Bangyong introduced that in order to help the deaf and mute groups, the Hainan Provincial Disabled Persons' Federation organizes this football team to train every year and provides training venues and equipment for players. The local disabled persons' federation has also allocated special funds for disabled athletes to cover the costs of transportation, accommodation and medical insurance during their participation in various sports events.
After changing out of the jersey, the cheerful and optimistic Gao Rixiao is also outstanding in his daily work. When he graduated from a special education school, his family found him a job as a green worker. In his spare time, he studied computers and obtained the relevant certificates. The leader found that he had both computer skills and was good at hand-cutting paper, and arranged for him to transfer to be responsible for employee attendance, setting up banners at the venue, and managing materials for entering and leaving the warehouse.
"I like to make handmade banners. You see, every word is cut and pasted by hand by me. He showed reporters the newly made banner.
Hainan Hailong football team members communicate before training (photo taken on September 13). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Liyun
"Satisfaction" and "happiness" are the key words of life summarized by Gao Rixiao, he said, society provides a platform for deaf people to show themselves, although it is a pity not to hear the sound, but they can also feel the happiness and warmth brought by society and the people around them in the silent world. "I have a group of friends who love life, have a stable job, and have a family who loves me, so that I can live hard with love and feel the happiness that life brings me."
In the future, Gao Rixiao wants to learn to drive, take a driver's license, and also want to lead this special team to participate in more football games, so that the players can feel the bigger world.
'My shirt is number 99, which means a long time and I hope our team can play forever." He said.