Blind football in Nigeria takes another massive step forward as Bina Foundation holds the country’s first blind football league tournament in Enugu for 115 young men and women.

The men’s training camp and tournament, hosted at Union Secondary School from 12th to 31st August, featured the following clubs from five Southeast states: Lions Blind FC (Enugu state), All Stars Blind FC (Anambra state), Stallions Blind FC (Imo state), Golden Blind Boys FC (Ebonyi state) and Tigers Blind FC (Abi state). Ball control, orientation, communication, dribbling and shooting were at the fore of the training camp to prepare all the players for the inaugural tournament.

The round-robin tournament consisted of ten matches, with Lions Blind FC of Enugu state coming out as victors through topping the table with eight points and a plus three goal difference. All Stars Blind FC finished in second place on eight points and a positive two goal difference, while Golden Boys Blind FC collected third place. Stallions Blind FC finished fourth and Tigers Blind FC of Abia took fifth place.

Caption: Lions Blind FC team photo with the trophy.

The women’s summer blind football camp and tournament followed thereafter, which proved to be the most entertaining event amongst the spectators. The women, in a similar style to the men, completed training activities on the rules of blind football, orientation and ball control to prepare for the tournament.

Diamond Ladies FC of Anambra and Sunshine Ladies FC of Enugu state played each other in two matches, with the former ending in a draw and the latter resulting in a single goal by Diamond Ladies to collect the women’s blind football trophy.

The summer camp concluded with the trophy presentation to the winning teams, cash prices to all the players and a vibrant dinner party for the players, technical team and Foundation staff to celebrate hosting the successful camp and tournament.

Caption: Diamond Ladies FC are crowned Bina Foundation women’s blind football champions.

With blind football teams established across all five South-east Nigerian states, Bina Foundation are now aspiring to compete on the international stage through a Nigerian blind football national team for both genders competing in international tournament and IBSA-sanctioned competitions.

“The aim of the summer camp was to plant seeds today to jump-start the formation of our national blind football team in Nigeria. We have officially joined other African blind football countries like Cameroon, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, Egypt, Cape Verde, Ghana, and Zimbabwe. It is our sincere hope that in the near future Nigeria will be able to participate in international tournaments”, said Bina Foundation Founder and President Lady Ifeoma.

Did you know that Blind Football in Igbo (indigenous language in Southeast Nigeria) is called Futubolu Ndi Isi?

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