Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Parasports
  • Blind footballers get set to show their best moves in Kolkata this weekend

Blind footballers get set to show their best moves in Kolkata this weekend

Parasports November 3, 2018
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Football fans in Kolkata have an exciting weekend to look forward to. The City of Joy is hosting the First Official East Zone Blind Football Tournament on 3 and 4 November. There are six teams taking part. Two are from West Bengal, while the rest are from Sikkim, Odisha, Bihar, Mizoram and Manipur.

The games are being hosted by the Football Association For The Blind Of Bengal (FABB), which is affiliated to the Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF), which is the apex body of the game in India.

The Bengal team has produced some champion players in blind football, with many of them representing India in national tournaments. A number of players from this state are also part of the National Blind Football Team.

One of the star players is Goutam Dey, who hopes to build greater support and popularity for blind football through this tournament.

This is the first time such a major blind football tournament is being held in West Bengal and the aim is to make the game famous. We also want the blind community to get to know about the game and take part. The public should know that this game has a future. – Goutam Dey, Member, National Blind Football Team

The tournament is being held at the Extraa Time Turf Ground in Russel Street. Entry is free and the games will be played between 10 Am to 5 PM on both days.

Blind Football is a five-a-side game played in a Futsal ground of size 40 M X 20 M with the long sides blocked with sideboards. All players are blind, except for the goalkeeper, coach and a goal guide. The players are guided by the sound of the ball which has bells inside. The three sighted members call out and direct the players to move with the ball.

Blind football is played in 60 countries and India ranks 29 in the world. The IBFF has been developing grassroots players and holding awareness camps across India since 2013.

There will be national level referees officiating the games and new referees identified and trained during the event as well. IBFF aims to develop the game in new regions and give disabled people a chance to showcase their skills in the game, says Prasenjit Adak, Assistant Secretary, BAFF.

“This is the first such competitive match in West Bengal and we are happy with the response we have received from other states. Unfortunately Jharkhand will not be taking part as they were not informed on time. We hope that like the major state-level teams, Mohan Bagan and East Bengal, blind football too will get support. We want people to know that blind people can play football and dismiss the notion that people with disabilities are a burden on society.”

So, if you are a football fan and happen to be in Kolkata this weekend, do come and cheer!

Watch in Sign Language

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Parasports

“Nothing comes easy, you have to work for it” - My Take by Somjeet Singh, Captain, India Wheelchair Cricket Team

Get-hooked

#AutismPower - Varun Sawant juggles multiple talents with great style

Get-hooked

Understanding Dyslexia

Get-hooked

#ReassessMS - Campaign on Multiple Sclerosis underlines gaps in disability assessment guidelines

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.