MARGAO: On Sunday, a team from Kerala and a mixed team of players from different parts of the country gave a blind football demo, wherein Kerala won the match 2-0 played at the Futsal Arena of Chowgule Sports Center.
The game was a first of its kind blind football game in Goa which was organised by the Indian Blind Football Federation along with the Society of Rehabilitation of Visually Challenged.
The event also saw support from Indian Super League club FC Goa with some of their Goan stars showing their support to the cause by being in attendance and even sportingly participating in a blindfolded penalty shootout.
The two teams then particiated in a penalty shootout against FC Goa players Brandon Fernandes, Seriton Fernandes, Jovel Martins and Bruno Colaco who were blindfolded.
“It is so easy to shoot when you can see the goal. It is wonderful to see these players playing football despite not being able to see. It is an amazing thing,” FC Goa midfielder Brandon Fernandes said.
The game was orchestrated through the medium of sound.
The players – some who were partially blind and others fully blind, were kicking around a special football which created a rattling noise thanks to bells inside.
They also responded to a special sign call which sounded ‘voi’ as they pass and chased the ball according to the voices that greeted them.
It was also spectacular to see how a game of blind football created a support system that brought out the best in these differently abled sportsmen.
There were volunteers to hold the players when they missed a step and almost fell over the line.
There were coaches behind both the goalposts who directed them to shoot or pass. They were further aided by goalkeepers with full vision as they instructed their blind teammates.
The fans cheered on every move and goal attempt with a realization of the amount of effort it takes for these players.
Incredibly enough, these blind footballers were able to perfectly distinguish one voice or sound from the other
It is a testimony to demonstrate what happens when you try to focus on an individual’s strength and not on his/her weakness or limitation.
And the brainchild of the demo football game Sunil Mathew who is the secretary for Society of Rehabilitation of Visually Challenged (SRVC) believes in just that.
“I’m just trying to help everyone recognize their talent. Don’t give them sympathy or have a soft corner. Focus on their strengths,” Sunil who is travelling to different parts of the country promoting blind football summed it up.
Meanwhile, CV Roy also of SRVC hopes that the event raises awareness.
“We hope that more blind people become of aware of this and come forward to participate,” Roy concluded.
