Nagaland’s blind footballers triumphed at the IBFF Northeast Zonal Blind Football Tournament that concluded on Monday at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The 4th edition of the Men’s Blind Football Tournament and the 1st in women’s category was organised by Arunachal Pradesh Blind Football Association (APBFA) under the aegis of Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF).

The women’s team from Nagaland lifted the championship trophy after they beat Meghalaya 1-0 in the final match. Three players from the team also earned individual awards for their outstanding performance in the contest.

Marylin Kips won the awards for Top Scorer and also Player of the Tournament, Initoli Zhimomi was received the Best Defender award, while the goalie of Nagaland’s blind women’s team won the Best Goalkeeper.

Women’s teams from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland had competed for the title in the inaugural event.

The Men’s team also came in an impressive third position. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland had contested for the trophy.

The teams that finished in the top four will get the shot to compete in the National level and the best male and female players will get the chance of being selected for the National teams, Sunil. J Mathew, sporting director and coach of the IBFF, said in an interview.

Meghalaya men are the reigning champions of the IBFF National Blind Football Tournament. In September 2022, they clinched the title after beating team Kerala 2-0

As for IBFF Women’s National Blind Football Tournament 2022, team Maharashtra came on top after beating Karnataka 2-0 in the final match played at Pune.