Football 5-a-Side Reaches Hungary

30 Mar 2010 By IPC

The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) continues its strong development programme in Futsal for blind and partially sighted players with clinics in Budapest, Hungary, starting on 19 March. The clinics are aimed at coaches and referees and are organised as part of the IBSA Futsal Development Project Europe, made possible thanks to support from UEFA.

Forty-five coaches and referees from six countries will attend the two-day clinics, with classroom sessions on coaching blind players and refereeing matches taking place on 20 March and hands-on practical sessions on 21 March. A group of local blind players has been recruited to take part in the practical sessions.

The countries taking part are hosts Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria.

The seminars will be held at the Globall Football Park in the small town of Telki, just outside the Hungarian capital. The Globall Football Park, a brand-new football complex featuring several full-size football pitches, an indoor futsal court and state-of-the-art training facilities, was opened last year by UEFA President Michel Platini and FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

Participants will be given a solid grounding in the coaching and refereeing skills required for Blind Futsal by an international IBSA team with ample experience in the game. England international player Keryn Seal will also be on hand to demonstrate the different skills and techniques needed to play the game.

After the two days’ teaching it is hoped participants will be able to return to their clubs and organizations ready to offer the chance to play football to blind and partially sighted players in their countries.