Members of the Meghalaya blind football team, which won the National Blind Football Tournament for the third time on Tuesday, were felicitated on their return to the state here today.
The team defeated Kerala 2-0 in the final in Chennai. Today’s felicitation programme was organised by sports administrator Lorenzo P Warjri, with retired senior police officer Mariahom Kharkrang the guest on the occasion.
Kharkrang, who is seeking to make a foray into politics, said that behind the success of the Meghalaya team is the support of their coaches, family and Warjri.
“But there are limits to that support, so you need a government policy on this,” Kharkrang said. “We can only produce champions if their minds are totally clear of financial worries. Until then I doubt our state can go forward,” he added, noting that Meghalaya does not have any champions at the National Games level at the moment.
Indeed, Warjri revealed that one of the players, Gabriel Nongrum, who has a job in Bangalore, sponsored the travel costs of his team mates to the tune of around Rs 50,000. He was not present on the occasion as he and team mates Prakash Shira and Klingson Marak are appearing for national team trials.
The team has found success despite a few difficulties in language, with goal guide Shanbormi Suchiang explaining that he has picked up a few words of Garo to help instruct players from Garo Hills. The players prefer Khasi and Garo, not only because they are the languages they speak fluently but also in order to keep their opponents in the dark.
A goal guide stands behind the opposition goal and gives verbal directions to the players on where to shoot. He, along with the coach and goalkeeper, are the only sighted members of the 10-person squad.
Meghalaya squad: Gabriel Nongrum, Johnborlang Pyngrope, Resinius Pathaw, Jebilbang M Sangma, Klingson D Marak, Prakash D Shira, Visiondo M Sangma (goalkeeper), Donbor Nongrum (coach), Shanbormi Suchiang (goal guide)
