Indian Women’s Blind Football Team Makes History with a Stunning Win
In a remarkable milestone, the Indian women’s visually impaired football team achieved an unprecedented victory against Austria. This historic achievement unfolded at the IBSA World Games, a global sports event hosted by the University of Birmingham, UK.
Marking their debut on the international stage, the Indian team’s triumph added an unforgettable chapter to the event’s legacy.
Akshara Rana, a 12-year-old forward from Uttarakhand, etched her name in history by scoring the decisive goal in the eighth minute of the second half during the Group B clash.
Boasting an average age of 18, the Indian team comprises gifted players hailing from diverse states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Kerala. Within the 10-member squad, Aparna E., the sole representative from Kerala, stands as one of the team’s two goalkeepers.
Among the eight field players, six exhibit significant visual impairment, with blindness surpassing 40%, while the remaining two players are completely blind.
The team’s next challenge is against Argentina, the reigning Latin American champions, scheduled for the upcoming Wednesday. Subsequently, they will confront Germany, the reigning European champions, in their final group-stage match on Friday. The grand finale is slated for August 21st.
