NYC Teen selected for Team USA Goalball World Championship Needs Hometown Support!

NEW YORK, NY — A local New York City athlete is gearing up to represent the United States on the global stage, but he needs his community's help to get to the starting line.Edwin Vidals, a talented visually impaired athlete from NYC, has been officially selected by the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) to represent Team USA at the 2026 IBSA Goalball Youth World Championships. The elite international tournament will take place this November in Astana, Kazakhstan.For those unfamiliar with the sport, Goalball is a thrilling, fast-paced Paralympic team sport designed specifically for athletes with visual impairments. Players wear blackout shades to ensure total equality on the court and dive across a hardwood floor to block a 3-pound rubber ball embedded with bells—tracking it entirely by sound.While earning a spot on the Youth National Team is a massive athletic achievement, it comes with a significant financial hurdle. Because USABA operates entirely without government funding, the steep costs of international flights, visas, tournament fees, and specialized training gear fall directly on the athletes and their families.Edwin is currently training intensely right here in New York to bring home gold for his country, but the community's backing is vital to turn this dream into a reality.How You Can Help:
A secure crowdfunding campaign has been set up through USABA’s verified platform. Every single donation—no matter how small—goes directly toward Edwin's tournament travel expenses and training.Please consider donating or sharing his official campaign page to help send this NYC powerhouse to the World Championships: