Two Visually Impaired Women from Bengal to Represent India in UK Football Tournament.

For the first time, the Indian blind women's football team will compete in the 2023 Women's Blind Football World Championship. A significant contribution to the team is from two visually impaired young women from Bengal who are using their apparent disability as a unique strength. The two inspiring individuals, Sangita Metya, 30, and Pratima Ghosh, 22, are poised to journey to the UK for the eminent Blind Women's Football Championship. Born into economically challenged families in Nadia and East Midnapore, they are presently in Kerala. Here, the Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF) is conducting a rigorous two-week training camp for them and their teammates to prepare for the upcoming global tournament.

Born to a farm laborer in Panskura, East Midnapore, Sangita has been battling adversity from a young age. As a child, she was often called 'Kaani,' a derogatory term meaning 'blind.' Sangita now holds a Master's degree in Bengali from the reputed Rabindra Bharati University. She even cracked her Bachelor's in Education (B.Ed) but faced rejection as a teacher due to her visual impairment. Resolute, Sangita resolved to transform her perceived weakness into a source of strength. She began playing football, initially with visually impaired men, and later joined the women's blind football team in Bengal. Today, she leads the team as its captain.

In an interview with NTT, Sangita said, "I have been blind since birth; FABB (Football Association for the Blind of Bengal) has helped me reach this stage, they are the reason I was selected for my performance in various local, East zone and National matches leading to being a part of Women's blind football team. We currently represent India in the world championship at Birmingham in the UK, which gives me immense pride and pleasure. I will give my best performance and seek everyone's blessings and well wishes to do the same."

22-year-old Pratima Ghosh, belonging to a small place near Krishnanagar, daughter of a daily laborer, is all set to shine in the Blind Women's Football Championship. She was born with 100% impairedness and has regained around 60% of her vision. Now trained as a national footballer and aspires to make her country proud.

While interacting with NTT, she said, "FABB(Football Association for the Blind of Bengal) has encouraged me to play different matches in the East zone and Nationals, and due to better performances in these matches, I was called for the selection in the Indian team, and we are all set for the championship commencing in the month of August. We seek everybody's well wishes and support in all the possible ways so that we can give our best shot there."

Commenting on the matter, Sunil J Mathew, sporting director and head coach Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF), said, "This is the first time something this big is happening. A blind women's team is representing India on the global map. I urge everyone to support Sangita and Pratima because this is a golden opportunity for these girls and India. I seek the Government's support so that many other players like them can reach this platform. I hope Government provides players like them with scholarships for their studies which will lead to the expansion of this game and encourage players like them."

Apart from these two champs, there are six other blind girls, two each from Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand, who are selected for this championship by the Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF) as part of a 10-day selection camp.

These blind women have shown exceptional determination, breaking barriers, reaching heights, and inspiring us all. We stand in awe of their extraordinary spirit as they represent the country globally. Let's support and celebrate them wholeheartedly in this journey, which exemplifies the uncompromising resilience of the human spirit, proving that one can overcome any obstacle with passion and dedication.