Some people don’t let anything stop them from playing the sport they love.
Mackendy Francois is one of those people. The Haitian soccer lover lost his leg in the earthquake that hit his country in January, but instead of sitting back and letting his amputation stop him, he joined Haiti’s amputee soccer team.
Amputee soccer teams can be found all over the world, from South America to Asia, and even they even have their own version of the World Cup.
Haiti’s team was formed in August, just one month before the Amputee World Cup.
The team made its first appearance in the event in Argentina last month, losing 7-0 to three-time champs Russia. Even though Haiti lost, their fans appreciated the team’s effort.
“They fared better than anyone anticipated they would,” Christopher Campasano, a managing partner of Phoenix Pro Soccer, told the Arizona Republic. “Considering the fact that they were only together as a team for 30 days, they played fantastically.”
In Haiti, amputation has historically meant that the person or their family are being punished for doing something wrong. The soccer team is hoping to change that view.
Haiti’s amputee soccer team is currently visiting the U.S., playing games in Dallas, TX and Mesa, Ariz. to promote awareness about amputee soccer and the problems Haiti still faces from the devastating earthquake.
Watch the Time Magazine video below to see the team in action.
