Some 55 coaches and referees from eastern Europe are set to be given training in futsal for blind and partially sighted players in Zagreb, Croatia, this weekend under a programme supported by UEFA.

Balkan first
Organised by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), the two-day event is the first of its kind in the Balkans and is designed to spread development of the game in the region.

Practical help
Delegates from Croatia, Serbia, FYR Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina will spend Friday studying the theoretical side of coaching and refereeing the game in a city centre hotel. Saturday will be devoted to a practical session provided by experienced IBSA trainers in a nearby sports centre, helped by a group of local blind players.

Development programme
The IBSA Futsal Development Project Europe was awarded UEFA's CHF 1m (€637,000) charity cheque in 2006 for a three-year blind futsal development programme.