Kochi to get football academy for the blind

The city of Kochi in Kerala plans to set up a Blind Football Academy. This will be the first ever-exclusive academy for people with disabilities in India.

The Society for Rehabilitation of Visually Challenged and the Indian Blind Federation are coming together to set up the BFA. The aim is to train and develop the best players to create a national team of world class standard. The players will be given vocational skill training in computers and foot movements so they have another source of income when they are not playing.

A ground and a hostel facility has been identified in the city. Round-the-year training will be given to players with nutritional diet and fitness training. The aim is to improve the game so India qualifies for the Paralympics by 2024.