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.
“This team has worked for 1 year 10 months together to mark their statement” Head Coach Of Mumbai City FC U19 – Mohan Dass
In an Exclusive Interview with Mumbai City FC Coach Mohan Suresh Dass, we take a look into the Mumbai City FC U19’s triumphant journey in the MFA Super League The…
Undefeated MYJ GMSC lead the Reliance Foundation Development League – Mumbai Region
The Mumbai Leg of Reliance developmental league regional round kicked off last week, and its MYJ GMSC who have race to the top of the table. MYJGMSC are currently the…
Mumbai City FC Complete Signing of Slovakian Attacker Jakub Vojtuš
Mumbai, 21 March, 2024: Mumbai City FC are delighted to welcome our new signing, Slovakian attacker Jakub Vojtuš, who joins the squad for the remainder of the season. The attacker…
Afghanistan vs India: Blue Tigers aim for a giant leap towards far-reaching FIFA WCQ Round 3 dream
ABHA, SAUDI ARABIA: The India Senior Men’s Team will be on the verge of writing a new chapter in the post-independence era of Indian Football history, when they resume their FIFA…
Blue Tigers miss chances to settle for a draw against Afghanistan
Afghanistan 0drew withIndia 0 ABHA, SAUDI ARABIA: India played out a goalless draw against hosts Afghanistan at the Damac Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia, in their third FIFA World Cup 2026…
Blue Tigers ready to pounce on Afghanistan in chock-a-block Guwahati Stadium
GUWAHATI: The Indian senior men’s team will look to pocket full points as they take on Afghanistan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Chennaiyin FC defender Bijay Chhetri signs for Uruguayan club
Bijay Chhetri becomes the first Indian player to sign with Latin American club after he joins Uruguayan club Colon Futbol Club on loan. The 22-year-old rising Indian footballer Bijay Chhetri…
India suffer shock defeat against Afghanistan
GUWAHATI: India’s quest for a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualifiers suffered a serious jolt when they went…
Odisha FC: The newly-crowned queens of Indian women’s football
NEW DELHI: Odisha FC Women had a dream to chase when the club was formed 20 months ago. And for dreamers, they knew, hard facts are never an obstacle. So, they…
AIFF to felicitate Sunil Chhetri on his 150th International for the Blue Tigers
NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation will felicitate Indian Senior Men’s Team captain Sunil Chhetri, who is expected to play his 150th Senior International match in the FIFA World Cup…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…