As Messi's visit grabs spotlight, Kerala overlooks Argentina's blind football team's triumph in Kochi

Even as Kerala gears up to cheer for the Argentina national football team, led by icon Lionel Messi, during their visit to the state next month, another Albiceleste team that won a final match in Kochi did not get much notice. Argentina's women’s blind football team won the IBSA Women’s Blind Football World Championship on Saturday, drawing little attention from fans or football enthusiasts.

Kerala has been hosting the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Women’s Blind Football World Championship since October 5, featuring eight teams, including hosts India. The final of the tournament was held today at the United Sports Centre (USC) Ground in Kakkanad, where Argentina defeated England for a score of 2-0. Gracia Sosa Barreneche and Yohana Aguilar were the scorers.

In the third-place match, Japan defeated Brazil in a penalty shootout after the game ended in a goalless draw in regular time. Japan won 2–1 on penalties.

But what worries the organisers- the Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF)- is the lack of enthusiasm from fans toward the tournament. Kerala, known for its rich football culture and passionate fan base, often draws large crowds even for local matches. Yet, this international championship saw sparse attendance.

"We expected more fans to turn up for the event, but that did not happen. That was sad to see," said Rashad, National Coordinator of the IBFF. He opined that fan participation is crucial for the development of teams, as it can help attract many sponsors. 

"We haven't received much sponsorship to organise this tournament," said Rashad. "It's true that the women's championship is still in its nascent stage- it only began in 2023 in Birmingham, UK. But without fan support, sponsors will turn away," he added.

He pointed out that while over 70 countries have active men’s blind football teams, the women’s game is still growing, with around 16 teams currently competing at a serious level worldwide. The IBFF’s major goal is to develop women’s blind football in India by providing players with structured training and better facilities.

The Indian team, which participated in the tournament, finished third in the group, which included England, Brazil, and Poland. India secured three points, with one win and one loss. In the inaugural edition held in the UK, the Indian team finished fourth, with limited resources and a lack of government support.

"Imagine what we could achieve with stronger backing from the state and central governments," said Roy MC, Executive Committee member of the IBFF. He added that with proper scouting and adequate facilities, the team could be developed further. 

Roy also highlighted the intense effort needed to train blind players for high-level competition. "Training them to run with balance is a huge challenge," he said. "So when they score a goal against a sighted goalkeeper, it’s a major personal achievement for them," he added. 

"We scout players from across the country and do our best to train them, but we often do it with very little support," he said, adding that more backing from the state could also help them to gain the support of the central government. 

But even amid the many challenges, the quality of football these players deliver is top-notch, said Rashad. "Their game is excellent. This is a five-a-side tournament, and only the goalkeeper is sighted," he explained.

During the match, the goalkeeper plays a crucial role by guiding the defenders, while one coach stands at the halfway line to give instructions to the midfield and defenders. At the same time, another coach positions themselves behind the opponent’s goalpost to direct the forwards and help them aim for the goal.