Blind players can excel at the game of chess and Allan Russell spoke to one of the best players in the world at the IBSA World Games in Birmingham.

Image show RNIB's Connect Radio hatting with Mihall Dacian Pribeanub Blind Romanian Chess Player 

As lead sponsor of this year’s IBSA World Games in Birmingham, RNIB’s Martin Wingfield was one of the speakers at the opening ceremony, he spoke to Allan Russell about why the charity was keen to get involved in the global event 

Image shows Allan Speaking with Martin Wingfield RNIB's Head of Brand

Chess is making it’s first appearance at the IBSA World Games in Birmingham, and Allan Russell spoke to the Chairman of IBSA Chess to learn more about the games global appeal for blind players 

Image Shows Allan Chatting with Sorin Lapadatu IBSA Chess Chairman

The IBSA World Games had it’s opening ceremony at the Symphony Hall and Allan Russell was there and spoke to Birmingham Councillor Andy Street.

Image Shows RNIB's Connect Radio Allan Russell Chatting with Andy Street 

Symphony Hall in Birmingham was the venue for the opening ceremony for the IBSA World Games,

Where Allan Russell spoke to David Clarke, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association.

Image shows RNIB's Allan Russell Chatting with David Clarke, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic 

For the opening ceremony of the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 at the Birmingham Symphony Hall DJ Hurricane was there warming up the crowds prior to all the speeches, dance performances and live music. Our Toby Davey caught up with DJ Hurricane after his second set to find out how he got into DJing and how accessible it is for someone who is blind or partially sighted. 


Image shows Toby Interviewing DJ Hurricaine and partner Olivia

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey chats with Elias Mastoras IBSA Blind Football Chair Person about his background in blind football, his role as IBSA Blind Football Chairman plus how blind football and especially the women’s blind football has been developing over the years.  

Also a look forward to blind football at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and the great football which you can still catch here at the IBSA World Blind Games in Birmingham. 


Image: RNIB Connect Radio Bright Green 20th Anniversary Logo

Dixie Dean is one of the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 commentators who has been providing the live commentary of the blind football matches of the games on the IBSA YouTube channel and tells our Toby Davey how he got into commentating plus a bit about his connections with blind football at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford.


Image shows a smiling Dixie and Toby

A quick chat with Santiago Jugo, coach of the Argentina Women’s Blind Football Team just after they drew nil - nil with Austria guaranteeing them a place in the semi finals on Sunday. 

Image: RNIB Connect Radio Bright Green 20th Anniversary Logo

More from the IBSA World Blind Games 2023 as RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey chats with Elizabeth Wong one of the sighted volunteers who is looking after the Blind Football matches.

Elizabeth was a Volunteer at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year and this is her first time volunteering at a blind games although Elizabeth has had some contact working with blind children as a teacher in the past. 

Elizabeth will also be one of the flag bearers at the opening ceremony at Symphony Hall in Birmingham too.


Image: France and Colombia Men's Blind Football teams mid game