The Indian womens blind football team is set to create history as they participate in the upcoming IBSA World Games at the University of Birmingham from August 14 to 21. This will mark the first time that an Indian womens team will be competing in a world championship, a significant milestone for womens sports in the country.The Indian team will kick off their journey by playing against Austria in the first match on August 14. The remaining two group games include a match against Argentina on August 16, and then against Germany on August 18.Countdown to the last week before the World Championships in Birmingham, UK. The #BlueDolphins Indian Blind Football Womens Team hard at practice for the IBSA World Games 2023, 12 -21 Aug 🇮🇳💪 at Kochi. Thank you @VectorXIND for the team kits. #LetsBlindFootball #BlueDolphins pic.twitter.com/JJxMGJyCNi— Blind Football India (@Blindfootie) August 4, 2023“We had started developing the womens blind football team alongside the mens only three years ago. Now we have about 100 registered [blind] players across eight State teams. We are eyeing a podium finish since that alone will bring us the recognition of Paralympic India along with the much needed funding. Now, the game is being run solely on sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility funds,” Sunil J. Mathew, the sporting director of the Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF) and head coach of the womens team, said.The Indian team, with an average age of 18 years, comprises young and talented players. The squad includes the 12-year-old striker Akshara Rana from Uttarakhand, whose passport acquisition was facilitated with special authorisation from her parents and the arrangement of two local guardians due to her young age.The team consists of 10 members from different regions of India, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Kerala. While two players are completely blind, the rest six players suffer from varying degrees of blindness exceeding 40%.The IBSA World Championship, organised by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), is a prestigious multi-sport event that takes place every four years. Japan and Australia are the other two teams from the Asia/Oceania region participating in the Games.31-year-old Serbian born @SevillaFC 2023 Europa league winning midfielder, Nemanja Gudelj @nemanjagudelj sends a message of support to India Blind football team ahead of the 2023 IBSA World Games.❤️@Blindfootie 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/syoR97LRXX— Football (@morecanplay) June 14, 2023The qualification for the IBSA World Games comes after a decade-long effort by the IBFF. This achievement marks a significant moment for the empowerment of women and people with disabilities, as it is the first time that India will field both a football team and a para womens team in a World Cup.Sports liberates womens bodies: Arundhati Roy on Indian womens blind football teamIn an exhibition game held at Gamma football turf at Chilavannoor, Booker Prize winning author Arundhati Roy, the State governments officer on special duty for external cooperation Venu Rajamony, and actor Sijoy Varghese were present among the attendees. Arundhati Roy commended the team, saying, “I believe that sports liberates womens bodies more than almost anything else. This team is not just going abroad or winning, but this is the kind of confidence building and liberation that not just people who are visually challenged, but all women should experience.”The Indian womens blind football team is still in need of financial support, with a funding gap of ₹15 lakh out of the estimated ₹43 lakh expenses, team manager MC Roy told a gathering. To bridge the gap, the IBFF has initiated a crowdfunding campaign to cover the expenses, with only a week left before the championship.As the team prepares to depart for the UK, the federation is hopeful that both the Central and State Sports Ministries will step forward to provide much-needed support for their journey and future progress.
