Celta, through the Celta Foundation, will provide a sensory suite at ABANCA Balaídos, as a pilot project, designed to offer a safe, calm space adapted to the needs of people with autism attending the stadium to enjoy their team’s matches. The initiative aims to promote an inclusive and accessible experience in football and will have the specialist support and guidance of Autismo Galicia Federation, which will work with the Celta Foundation to ensure that the space adequately meets the needs of its users.
The presentation of the new sensory suite took place this Thursday, October 8, at 12:00 p.m. at ABANCA Balaídos, in an event attended by the Celta Foundation, the Galician Royal Football Federation, the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Autismo Galicia Federation, all of which have contributed to the feasibility of the project. The space will officially open on Sunday, October 18, at 4:15 p.m., coinciding with the match between Celta and Deportivo Alavés on Matchday 9 of LALIGA EA Sports. The match, dedicated to the Celta Foundation, will serve as the pilot test for this space, which is intended to be developed in the new Gol stand once construction is fully completed.
“This sensory suite that we are inaugurating represents another step forward in our commitment to making football and ABANCA Balaídos a truly inclusive space, where everyone who uses it can enjoy watching their team in a safe environment adapted to their needs. Thanks to the joint work with the Autismo Galicia Federation and the other organizations involved, we continue to move forward so that football can continue transforming lives,” explained Germán Arteta, Director of the Celta Foundation.
The Director of the Autismo Galicia Federation, Patricia Blanco, also welcomed the initiative: “At the Autismo Galicia Federation, we would like to thank the Celta Foundation not only for opening the doors of Balaídos to us, but also for understanding that true inclusion means that everyone can understand, participate in and share the excitement of football on an equal footing. We would also like to thank them for their collaboration in introducing measures that promote anticipation, orientation, regulation and support that is more closely focused on people’s needs.”
Concluding the comments on what this sensory box represents, Fernando Iglesias, Vice-President of the Royal Galician Football Federation, said: “For the Royal Galician Football Federation, it is very important to promote this type of initiative, which uses football as a tool for social inclusion. Our goal and commitment is to bring football closer to everyone, regardless of their circumstances or needs. We will continue to support initiatives that make this sport an increasingly inclusive and accessible space. We would like to thank the Celta Foundation for its excellent reception of this initiative and the RFEF for its support in developing this project.”
