Dehradun, The 9th National Blind Football Championship is being organised on a grand scale in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. Under the leadership of Mobility India Foundation coordinator Ayaz Khan Achchoo and Uttar Pradesh team manager Syed Danish Hussain, the Uttar Pradesh Blind Football Team is participating in this prestigious national event. The team’s first match will be played against Delhi on December 15 at 8 AM.
Ayaz Khan Achchoo’s Statement
Speaking to our representative, Ayaz Khan Achchoo said:“Sports is not just entertainment; it is the strongest medium for self-reliance and confidence. Our mission is to ensure that every visually impaired youth gets the opportunity to build their identity through sports. This championship will bring new energy and hope into their lives.”
Team Composition
The UP Blind Football Association’s selection committee has finalised the following team lineup:
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Akash – Captain
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Tushar Kumar – Vice-Captain
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Saurabh Kumar
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Mohit
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Mohammad Lukman
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Arnab Patel
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Mukul Kataria
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Abdul Rahim (Sighted Goalkeeper)
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Malik Mohammad Jaish (Sighted Goalkeeper)
Technical Staff:
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Irshad Ali – Coach
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Syed Danish Hussain – Manager
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Ayaz Khan Achchoo – Coordinator
Achchoo added that the players were selected from block-level sports activities, following the guidelines of Dr. A. Wahid Siddiqui, Secretary & Director (Blind Football Operations, UP), UPBFA. “These players are ready to showcase their talent on the national stage,” he said.
Foundation’s Commitment
The Mobility India Foundation remains firmly committed to raising blind football players to new heights. Achchoo said: “Each initiative of the organisation—under the guidance of Dr. A. Wahid Siddiqui and the management of Syed Danish Hussain—is inspirational.”
He further explained that while resources were limited earlier, the foundation has now launched an extensive campaign to identify talented visually impaired youth at the block level and bring them forward to district, zonal, state, and national competitions. The focus includes cricket, athletics, blind football, and CP (Cerebral Palsy) football.
In the 2024 Delhi National Championship, Dr. Siddiqui was appointed National Expert, marking his national recognition. Following the current championship, the foundation is preparing to expand CP football, with a strong team already in place—ushering in a new era for para-sports in India.
Grassroots Impact and Expansion
At the grassroots level, blind football initiatives have begun in rural areas under the supervision of Mobility India Foundation coordinators. Achchoo highlighted that Dr. A. Wahid Siddiqui is actively forming teams in villages, and over 50 visually impaired children are currently registered with the association.
Dr. Siddiqui, who has been working since 1995–96 on empowerment, social inclusion, and sports rehabilitation for persons with disabilities, is the founding secretary of the Mobility India Foundation. These efforts are expected to provide visually impaired youth with a “golden opportunity” for self-reliant and healthy lives through sports, while helping expand blind football across the country.
National & International Linkages
The International Blind Football Federation (IBFF) affiliates national and state-level bodies and functions under the umbrella of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). IBFF India is leading the promotion and structured development of blind football across the nation.
