by Agnorra Aranjo
MUMBAI, NOV 9, 2016: Eight Mumbai-based teams participated in a special football tournament aimed at spreading awareness about physical disabilities at the Don Bosco turf ground in Matunga on October 28.
Before the matches kicked off, Don Bosco Youth Services, the organisers of the tournament, invited Doctor Ekta Bhatia to speak about the hurdles faced by physically challenged persons, the negative attitudes they encounter and how young people could positively interact with them.
At the onset, special rules of the tournament were explained to the teams, that comprised of five players each, of which three would play with a disability – one with a blindfold, another with arms tied back and a third player with crutches.
It was a challenge for the players to play with such disabilities. However, with good team work, they enjoyed the competition. The tournament helped youth realise the difficulties physically challenged persons face on a daily basis. Goan Boys from Kalyan won top honours, while St. Paul's Parish, Dadar ended as runners up.