In conversation with blind football coaches Ganesh and Nazeef

With less than four days left for the Blind Football exhibition match at Kick football turf in Powai, we take a look back as to how these special players are been selected, trained and motivated to play the beautiful game. Footballcounter recently spoke to the coaches, Ganesh Chandani and Nazeef Chembakassery who also happens to be a part of a NGO named Youth United Foundation (YUF) in association with XRCVC (Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged).

Coach Ganesh Chandani admitted that coaching Mumbai in Kerala gave him a chance to learn about Blind Football which also helped him to come up with an idea to promote this unique and special game.

“I went to Kerala along with Mumbai’s team as a coach for a Blind football tournament. The actual coach of Mumbai was unavailable which gave me a huge opportunity to coach the Mumbai’s team which indeed turned out to be mesmerizing.

There were teams from Uttarakhand, Kolkata, Delhi, and Dehradun which made the tournament more competitive and interesting,” Ganesh overwhelmingly expressed his feelings on coaching Mumbai’s blind football team.

Ganesh had met Lu, an international coach who was present in Kerala for blind football. Both of them decided to start promoting blind football in Mumbai.

“Later on, I met an international coach named Lu Sir who was quite experienced and was aware about the inside out of Blind football.

He made me aware of Blind football as to how it is played and how the rules are quite different from the sighted football. Before leaving for Mumbai, Lu admitted that blind football in Mumbai is almost unknown to everyone, and that’s where we came upon an idea to promote blind football in Mumbai,” Ganesh said.

Ganesh then explained the rules of blind football and spoke about training sessions. According to Ganesh, stamina and enthusiasm was the key in segregating and selecting these players.

“Blind football is totally different from sighted football. It is played 5-a side with a sighted or a B2-B3 goalkeeper in the post.

For segregating the players, I considered their stamina, enthusiasm and passion about football. Like, stamina is a must for the attackers as they have to run up and down, as for defense, the players need to stay in their position and play. There is bit worry about injuries as sometimes the players collides with each other hence wearing shin guards is compulsory,” Ganesh explained.

Coach Nazeef Chembakassery also explained the quite complicating rules of blind football.

“The ball used in blind football is heavier and has hearings inside it which helps the players to locate the ball. Plus if a player fouls for three or five times, then the oppositions are awarded with a penalty from either 5 metres or 8 metres. There are only goal kick and corners, and no outside or offside.

Also there are two coaches in the field, one at half-line and one at the back. The coaches help the players to move by directing them and they are very important in blind football. The most important part of blind football is all the players has to communicate with each other by saying “woy”,” Nazeef concluded after explaining the bits of blind football.

 

 

SSE BFC offering girls football trials in Mumbai for U14 & U17 Teams

SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-serving academies, is a trusted name and has positively contributed to shaping the local football community for thousands of kids since 2010. SSE Soccer…

Share

SSE BFC Soccer Schools Announces Open Trials for 2025-26 Season in Mumbai

SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-standing football academies, has announced open trials for its 2025-26 SSE BFC Soccer Schools program in partnership with Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC….

Share

South United FC Announces Trials in Pune for their Residential Academy in Bangalore

South United Football Club has announced its next set of trials for its new Residential Academy, which will be held in Pune. The trials will take place at the Club’s…

Share

Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign

Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…

Share

India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season

The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…

Share

Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season

Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…

Share

VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season

Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…

Share

MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season

With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…

Share

Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents

Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…

Share

Mumbai Super League club Charkop FC to conduct open trials for upcoming Season

Calling all aspiring football stars! Charkop FC, a MFA super division club based in Charkop, Kandivali, is set to conduct Open Trials for the upcoming season. About Charkop FC: In…

Share