The efforts made by the Indian female visually impaired football players have led the country to the international stage. Eight players of the team have made up to the feat of representing the country at the IBSA World Championship which is going to be held in the United Kingdom from August 14 to August 21.
The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) hosts the IBSA World Championship, an international multisport competition, every four years. After a 10-year effort made by the Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF), the women's blind Football team from India has finally qualified for the competition.
The Indian team is going to participate in the World Cup for the first time with both a Football team and a para women's team, which symbolizes the empowerment of both women and people with disabilities.
According to IBFF, the National team was selected out of 20 blind players, five goalkeepers, and three coaches. The team has been trained in Kochi and they would leave for the UK on August 12.
The IBFF and the players hope that the Central and State Sports Ministries will provide support as the team will depart because, without that, it would be difficult for them to advance. The Indian team will compete against Austria at the inaugural match on August 14. Then, on August 16 and 18, the team will face Argentina and Germany. The University of Birmingham - Bournbrook in the UK will host the tournament.
