An ordinary retired disabled worker in Hebei Province has become an inspiring figure, spreading the joy of sports to both students and fellow football players.
Wang Yong, 52, is a retired worker from a pharmaceutical company in Cangzhou City.
Despite losing his left arm in a traffic accident in 2008, Wang's love for the game never wavered.
His passion for football has allowed him to overcome personal challenges and now, he shares that same passion by volunteering as a football coach for children at the city's Chezhan Primary School.
In May 2023, Wang took on the role of a voluntary football coach at the school, teaching kids football skills and promoting physical health.
Football, to him, is not just a sport but a guiding light that helped him recover from the dark period following the accident.
"After the accident, my first thought was that I might never be able to play football again. I remembered it very clearly. I didn't know what life would be like later, but believed that as life is full of ups and downs, with many setbacks, instead of feeling downbeat, it's better to just let things take their course," he said.
As he was short of coaching experience, Wang used online resources and books to improve his knowledge of the game.
Combining the studies with years of practical experience, he developed training plans to help the children improve their skills and understanding of football.
"The students really love this football group. We also have professional teachers who train the students every day. But when everyone saw Wang , they were deeply moved. His passion for football and his inspirational life story are so impressive. With Wang's spirit leading the way, the children will be strong and resilient enough in the face of difficulties in life, never yielding to fate," said Xu Jianfen, the school principal.
Wang's journey to healing was further inspired by his participation in a fans league in 2019, organized by a local football club. This event renewed his enthusiasm for life, and today, football remains a constant companion.
Wang often heads to Cangzhou's Yunhe Park, where he joins local football enthusiasts for a lively match.
Wang is a familiar face on the pitch, where he continues to sweat to his heart's content, sharing his love for the sport.
His peers gave thumbs up for his spirit of never giving up.
"At first we wanted to go easy on him as he has only one arm. But he told me on the football pitch, 'Don't give me any special treatment, because I'm here to fight.' From him, I can feel a strong sense of ambition and a drive to strive for victory in the game. This is what he wants in sports, and also a goal that motivates him in life," said Feng Jianxin, a fellow football player.
Volunteer disabled coach inspires students, fellow football players
Venezuela is facing a severe "flight suspension crisis" that has led to challenges in family reunion and severely impacted the tourism industry due to the country's heightened tensions with the U.S. and Trump's threat to shut its airspace.
Amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States, both passengers and the Venezuelan airlines that operate international flights are facing pressure as the New Year holiday is near.
Julio, a resident of Caracas, is anxiously waiting for his mother at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia. His mother, in her 90s, has not returned to Venezuela to visit family for two years and is eagerly looking forward to spending the New Year holiday with her loved ones in Caracas. However, due to the recent extreme scarcity of international flights, she has been stranded in Bogota, Colombia, for a week before finally securing a ticket to return home.
"My mother flied from Italy. But due to issues with the airline, she had to stay in Bogota for a week waiting for a flight to Caracas. It used to be easy to buy flight tickets from Colombia. Just 20 days ago, several international airlines were still selling tickets, but now the flight cancellations have made it difficult to purchase them," he said.
The experience of Julio's family is an epitome of the difficulties faced by countless Venezuelans abroad who find it challenging to return home.
At the same time, outbound travel of Venezuelan people has also been severely affected. With most international airlines suspending their operations to and from Venezuela, traveling abroad for the New Year holiday has become both expensive and cumbersome.
A business manager of a travel agency in Caracas said that the extensive flight cancellations have led to a significant increase in travel costs, forcing approximately 35 percent of tourists to cancel their travel plans, with the routes to Europe being the most heavily impacted.
"Due to the lack of direct flights like before, the costs for outbound travel have risen. Travelers now need to purchase an additional connecting flight to reach their destinations. They are faced with the choice of buying multiple tickets or canceling their trips and staying in the country. Venezuelan airlines and the government have been working to address these challenges, but the number of travelers is vast, and many people continue to be affected," the business manager said.
In addition, the sharp decline in the number of inbound tourists has led to a significant drop in the occupancy rate at many hotels in Caracas. To attract tourists, numerous local hotels have been forced to implement substantial price reductions.
To address the series of negative impacts caused by extensive flight cancellations, Venezuela's tourism sector is taking proactive measures.
Vicky Herrera, president of the Venezuelan Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism, said that although the tourism industry is currently facing severe challenges, the government is seeking breakthroughs by strengthening routes to neighboring countries.
Flight suspension in Venezuela impacts tourism amid rising U.S. tensions
