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| World Cup: Songs help partially-sighted Wales fan enjoy games | World Cup: Songs help partially-sighted Wales fan enjoy games |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Cai Emlyn Davies - pictured with parents Nia and Richard - is not able to see the action clearly, but immerses himself in the sounds of The Red Wall and Barry Horns | Cai Emlyn Davies - pictured with parents Nia and Richard - is not able to see the action clearly, but immerses himself in the sounds of The Red Wall and Barry Horns |
| Wales being the Land of Song has an extra special meaning for one fan - who is experiencing the World Cup through music. | Wales being the Land of Song has an extra special meaning for one fan - who is experiencing the World Cup through music. |
| Cai Emlyn Davies lost most of his sight when he was nine and is not able to follow the action clearly on the pitch. | Cai Emlyn Davies lost most of his sight when he was nine and is not able to follow the action clearly on the pitch. |
| So it was the euphoria that resonated in the stands that told him Gareth Bale nailed the equaliser against the USA. | So it was the euphoria that resonated in the stands that told him Gareth Bale nailed the equaliser against the USA. |
| For Cai, Wales as a footballing nation goes hand-in-hand with it being a musical one as well. | For Cai, Wales as a footballing nation goes hand-in-hand with it being a musical one as well. |
| As much as it is about the exploits on the pitch, it is about the goose bumps of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and the raw emotion of Yma O Hyd. | As much as it is about the exploits on the pitch, it is about the goose bumps of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and the raw emotion of Yma O Hyd. |
| It is about the music of the Barry Horns and the Red Wall singing Calon Lan, Don't Take Me Home or Men of Harlech that connects him to the action. | It is about the music of the Barry Horns and the Red Wall singing Calon Lan, Don't Take Me Home or Men of Harlech that connects him to the action. |
| Wales-Qatar electric car bid falls short | Wales-Qatar electric car bid falls short |
| Tears and emotion as Wales return | Tears and emotion as Wales return |
| "I think losing my sight at such a young age has helped me further along in life as I've had to learn to live with it," said Cai. | "I think losing my sight at such a young age has helped me further along in life as I've had to learn to live with it," said Cai. |
| "My sight loss doesn't stop me doing my day-to-day activities and I'll always be grateful for what vision I have got - many people I know suffer far worse than I do, I count myself lucky most of the time." | "My sight loss doesn't stop me doing my day-to-day activities and I'll always be grateful for what vision I have got - many people I know suffer far worse than I do, I count myself lucky most of the time." |
| Like the rest of the nation, he waited on tenterhooks for Bale to take his penalty against the USA - and he didn't need to see it hit the net, he could feel it all around him. | Like the rest of the nation, he waited on tenterhooks for Bale to take his penalty against the USA - and he didn't need to see it hit the net, he could feel it all around him. |
| The 27-year-old was born with a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis, meaning he gets lumps and lesions on his skin and nerves. | The 27-year-old was born with a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis, meaning he gets lumps and lesions on his skin and nerves. |
| When a tumour appeared on his optic nerve, he lost 80% of his vision, but it could never affect his love of football, which he said was "from birth". | When a tumour appeared on his optic nerve, he lost 80% of his vision, but it could never affect his love of football, which he said was "from birth". |
| Both his parents played and some of his earliest memories are watching his dad star for his hometown Newcastle Emlyn in Carmarthenshire. | Both his parents played and some of his earliest memories are watching his dad star for his hometown Newcastle Emlyn in Carmarthenshire. |
| Cai met Euro 2016 star Joe Ledley in Dubai | Cai met Euro 2016 star Joe Ledley in Dubai |
| Cai, who works for Cardiff council and plays for a visually impaired rugby team, added: "It means everything, to witness something I thought I'd never see is just the stuff of dreams. I just hope we can get out of the group." | Cai, who works for Cardiff council and plays for a visually impaired rugby team, added: "It means everything, to witness something I thought I'd never see is just the stuff of dreams. I just hope we can get out of the group." |
| He has travelled with parents Richard and Nia and their friends Morlais and Anwen, who have ensured his sight loss has not affected the trip too much. | He has travelled with parents Richard and Nia and their friends Morlais and Anwen, who have ensured his sight loss has not affected the trip too much. |
| They are staying in Dubai and flying into Qatar for each Wales game. | They are staying in Dubai and flying into Qatar for each Wales game. |
| Cai added: "They've guided me along the way and they've been my eyes for me. | Cai added: "They've guided me along the way and they've been my eyes for me. |
| "And definitely, even though I might not see everything going on around me, I can hear and feel the atmosphere." | "And definitely, even though I might not see everything going on around me, I can hear and feel the atmosphere." |
| The World Cup is featured on buildings all around Doha | The World Cup is featured on buildings all around Doha |
| RNIB Cymru's director Ansley Workman said Cai's love of live football showed "how diverse the red wall is". | RNIB Cymru's director Ansley Workman said Cai's love of live football showed "how diverse the red wall is". |
| "We know that some blind and partially sighted people can be put off from attending live matches, but Cai's experience shows that anything is possible," she added. | |
| "Being at a live match is a sensory experience, from the smell of the turf to the experience of the Welsh fans in full voice singing the national anthem." | "Being at a live match is a sensory experience, from the smell of the turf to the experience of the Welsh fans in full voice singing the national anthem." |
| At the World Cup, Cai and thousands of others have partied to the music of The Barry Horns - a group that is playing a significant role in re-energising Wales' image as the Land of Song. | At the World Cup, Cai and thousands of others have partied to the music of The Barry Horns - a group that is playing a significant role in re-energising Wales' image as the Land of Song. |
| The Barry Horns have been entertaining supporters in Dubai and Qatar | The Barry Horns have been entertaining supporters in Dubai and Qatar |
| Based in Dubai and flying into Qatar, the band have already played in embassies in both countries, in the stadium and at a number of packed and passionate fan events. | Based in Dubai and flying into Qatar, the band have already played in embassies in both countries, in the stadium and at a number of packed and passionate fan events. |
| "The people over here have been amazingly welcoming, not just the fans, but the locals too," said the band's Gareth Evans. | "The people over here have been amazingly welcoming, not just the fans, but the locals too," said the band's Gareth Evans. |
| "A highlight has been playing in the stadium for Wales in the actual World Cup, which hasn't actually sunk in. | "A highlight has been playing in the stadium for Wales in the actual World Cup, which hasn't actually sunk in. |
| "The response at the gigs we've been doing around the games is incredible so far and we're buzzing to be part of it all." | "The response at the gigs we've been doing around the games is incredible so far and we're buzzing to be part of it all." |
| Members of The Barry Horns arrive at the stadium ahead of Wales' opening game against the USA | Members of The Barry Horns arrive at the stadium ahead of Wales' opening game against the USA |
| While the brass band's name pays homage to former Wales star Barry Horne, their music eulogises various heroes on the pitch. | While the brass band's name pays homage to former Wales star Barry Horne, their music eulogises various heroes on the pitch. |
| A song featuring Hal Robson-Kanu's name to the beat of Salt-N-Pepa's Push It became popular after his wonder goal against Belgium at Euro 2016. | A song featuring Hal Robson-Kanu's name to the beat of Salt-N-Pepa's Push It became popular after his wonder goal against Belgium at Euro 2016. |
| Another familiar face from that tournament - Joe Ledley - also joined the group on stage in Dubai for a spot of dubious trumpet playing as they sang about him at an event to mark the start of the World Cup. | Another familiar face from that tournament - Joe Ledley - also joined the group on stage in Dubai for a spot of dubious trumpet playing as they sang about him at an event to mark the start of the World Cup. |
| Many legends were created during the Euros in France six years ago - it remains to be seen who of this current side will step forward and be sung about for years to come. | Many legends were created during the Euros in France six years ago - it remains to be seen who of this current side will step forward and be sung about for years to come. |