UEFA backs blind futsal

UEFA is funding futsal seminars organised by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), which will take place in England this weekend. The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) received UEFA's CHF1million (€650,000) charity cheque for 2006, and that money is funding a three-year blind futsal development programme.

Hereford seminar
Forty coaches and referees representing four countries - England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland - will gather in Hereford for the blind futsal seminars held as part of the UEFA-funded IBSA Futsal Development Project Europe.

Coaching and refereeing skills
The seminars, run by IBSA in partnership with the English Football Association, will be held at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford on Friday and Saturday. Participants will be given a solid grounding in the coaching and refereeing skills required for blind futsal by an international team with ample experience in the game.

Theory and practice
After two days' teaching, involving both theoretical sessions and hands-on experience working with blind players in practical sessions, participants will return to their clubs and organisations ready to offer the chance to play football to blind and partially players from all over the British Isles.

More seminars
Three more seminars are planned for this year in Germany, Russia and Turkey, while Croatia is expected to host a seminar for countries from the Balkan region in the first quarter of 2009. For more information on the IBSA Futsal Development Project Europe contact ibsa@ibsa.es.