Blind Football – What Has Happened So Far?

The Situation of Blind Football in India and what has happened so far
Indian Blind Sports Association (IBSA) is the largest national level sports body devoted to the promotion of sports among the visually challenged in the country. In 2004, the association started promoting Football as a sport for the visually challenged, organizing demonstrations of 5-a-side football and distributing special footballs to the participating institutions in the National Coaching. The Association also started National Football tournaments over the years for the players.
IBFF and the works
However, despite all this, Blind Football still missed an identity of their own, until the year 2013 when Society for Rehabilitation of the Visually Challenged (SRVC) joined together with Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF) to bring together the best players from all over the country to represent the Indian National Blind Football Team. The Federation arranged training facilities and tours for the national teams to train practice and improve their skills.
In 2016, after the successful All India Tournament, the Federation undertook an awareness road-show and blind football camp to Kolkata and across North East in search of new talents and giving more visually challenged players a chance to showcase themselves. Cities like Tura, Meghalaya, Guwahati, Shillong & Imphal were the places for the show. The tour involved playing demonstration games with the 2016 All Indian Tournament winner – Kerala Blind Football Team playing with the local sides, distribution of Blind Footballs and training the trainers.
International Performance
In the year 2013, India had its first representation in an International Blind Football Tournament in Malaysia facing the likes of Iran, Russia, and Hong Kong. In the seven country tournament, the Indian team finished well at the fourth spot bowing out in the semi-finals. In the subsequent year, the team toured Malaysia and Hong Kong, while they lost the friendly against Malaysia, the performances definitely boosted the team for the rest of the Hong Kong tour. Against World No 4 China – the team did what they could to hold off a masterly performance by the World Championships Semi-finalists but suffered a heavy defeat. Next up was a game against Hong Kong, the local team which Team India won 1-0 with a field goal scored by M S Ranjith beating the home team India eventually finished fourth in the tournament.
To prepare the team for the 2015 Rio Paralympics and Asian Championship Tokyo, The federation along with SRVC organized preparatory camps roping in International Blind Sports Instructor and Referee Mr Loo W.K from Malaysia. Players from Delhi, Dehradun, Kolkata and Kerala were brought together for the preparatory camp. Sunil Mathew, Head Coach, M. C. Roy, Manager, Ravi Cosul (Assistant Coach) and David Absalom (Chief-de-Mission) accompanied the players as the officials. Though the tournament turned out win-less for the team losing against the likes of tournament heavyweights Iran, Korea and Japan, the experience and exposure playing some of the best in the world gave the players confidence and determination to succeed in the future.
Domestic tournament
In early 2016, All India Invitational Blind Football Tournament was held with Society for Rehabilitation of the Visually Challenged (SRVC) of Kerala emerging victorious in the final defeating the young team from NIVH Dehradun in a sudden death penalty shootout. The event, inaugurated by Bollywood actress Shriya Saran, who was also the Brand Ambassador of the sport, brought in around 80 participants and instructors from around the country, including teams from Delhi, Uttarakhand, Dehradun, Kolkata, Mumbai, Northeast, Bangalore and Kerala.
The tournament also brought to the fore some exciting talents from all across the country including some young players. Sukhvinder of NIVH Dehradun was adjudged the Best Player of the Tournament for his consistent overall performance through the event while Abhimanyu Naskar won the Golden Boot for his five field goals for CAB Kolkata in the earlier games.
In this year’s tournament, it was vice versa story with the NIVH Dehradun beating SRVC Kerala in the finals to lift the trophy. Sukvinder was once again the star winning the player of tournament award for the second time in a row while Hilter from Shillong and Pankaj Rana shared the honours of the Golden Boot award with 4 goals each.
Blind Football Academy
The First Blind Football Academy of India was inaugurated by the IBSA World Blind Football Chairman & German National team coach Mr Ulrich Pfister on 15th Sept. 2017. The first Batch had 10 members with facilities like Vocational skills training sessions in computers, reflexology, Telesales opportunities offered to the candidates along with Yoga, fitness training & good nutrition. The Academy aimed to develop a stronger national team for the future.
Maharashtra State Mens Football League
Maharashtra football set for new era with launch of Maharashtra State Men’s Football League
The footballing landscape of Maharashtra is poised for a significant transformation with the imminent launch of the Maharashtra State Men’s Football League.
Nationals / Swami Vivekananda U-20 Men's NFC
Maharashtra announces U-20 Squad for Swami Vivekananda National Football Championship 2025
WIFA has officially announced the Maharashtra U-20 Men’s Team for the upcoming Swami Vivekananda U-20 Men’s National Football Championship 2025. This marks the second edition of the prestigious tournament with…
Manolo Márquez names 28-member probables Blue Tigers squad for Kolkata camp
Blue Tigers head coach Manolo Márquez announced the 28-member probable squad on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The squad will assemble in Kolkata on May 18 to train for the FIFA…
Blue Tigresses to play Uzbekistan in two International Friendlies
The Senior India Women’s National Team will play two FIFA Women’s International Friendly matches against Uzbekistan in the May/June 2025 International Window. The two matches against Uzbekistan will be played…
Maharashtra State Mens Football League
Early Leaders emerge as Maharashtra State Men’s Football League kicks off with a bang
The inaugural Maharashtra State League explodes into action with Mumbai teams MYJ-GM and MH Oranje setting the early pace, while Magic Made Soccer shows grit despite disciplinary woes. The inaugural…
Nationals / Swami Vivekananda U-20 Men's NFC
Maharashtra U20s start Swami Vivekananda NFC Campaign with solid win over Himachal Pradesh
Maharashtra kicked off their campaign in the 2025 Swami Vivekananda Men’s U20 National Football Championship with a confident 2-0 victory over Himachal Pradesh. The Western state displayed a composed performance,…
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….
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…
Corporate Football / MFA Elite Corporate League / Trials
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…
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…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Academy / Football Academy / Trials
Mumbai 42 Football Academy to conduct trials for Youth players
Newly established Mumbai 42 Football Academy will be conducting trials for young footballers in the upcoming week.