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.
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC flares an important 3-0 victory over Sporting Goa in an crucial encounter
Maharashtra Oranje FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Sporting Goa to lift themselves to 7th spot in the I-League 2 table In a high-stakes I-League 2…
Roundup: Chennaiyin FC win against KBFC as RFYC, Bengaluru FC play gripping draw in RFDL National Group Stage in Mumbai
Mumbai, April 16: Bengaluru FC and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) played out a goalless draw at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai in the National Group Stage…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Kerala Blasters FC bag winning momentum before playoffs with solid 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC
Hyderabad, April 12: Kerala Blasters FC ensured that they will enter the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs with a win at their back after defeating Hyderabad FC by 3-1…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant crowned ISL Champions 2023-24 after 2-1 win in title-winning clash against Mumbai City FC
Kolkata, April 15: Mohun Bagan Super Giant became the Indian Super League (ISL) Champions by defeating Mumbai City FC by 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight. The…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
NorthEast United FC end their campaign on a high with feisty 3-0 victory over Odisha FC
Guwahati, April 13: NorthEast United FC bowed out of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on a high with a resounding 3-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
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…