Blind Football Mizoram Demo Camp & Shillong North East Blind Football Tournament - Jan 17

The Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF) successfully conducted the first ever North East Blind Football Tournament at Shillong, with the home team Bethany Society Shillong beating Mizoram Blind Society Aizawl 3-0 in the finals held at the Shillong Public school futsal artificial turf grounds. The 3 day tournament also featured teams from Tura and Kolkata who played in a round robin format from 27th to 29th Jan. Gabriel Nongrum from Bethany Society emerged as the star performer and 'Golden Boot' winner with a total of 11 goals.
Ms M War Director of Sports, Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs Govt of Meghalaya was the chief guest for the finals. Mr Anand Datla Director of Sports and Brijinder Anand from Tata Trusts, who are one of the main sponsors for this project were also present . The Tournament also brought together blind football referee's from Assam for a blind football referee clinic which was conducted by Manjith Gokulan International Blind Sports Association certified India international referee and a training session given for all players by Sunil J Mathew, Indian National coach and Sporting Director, IBFF .
The Indian Blind Football Federation is the promoted by Society for Rehabilitation of the Visually challenged (SRVC) - an NGO based in Kochi, has been involved with developing Blind Football across the country. The national team developed by them is now ranked 23rd globally.
The aim of this tournament is to identify new blind football talents as IBFF aims to start it's first Blind Football Academy soon at its base in Kochi. More regional tournaments are planned across the country in the coming months to identify talented players to be given intensive training with focus on fitness and tactical skills. Tata Trusts and West Communication is supporting this initiative on a long term basis. Bethany society Shillong was the local partner for the event.