Vishnu Vaghela, a footballer from Banaskantha in Gujarat, has risen from a rural upbringing and childhood blindness to captain the Indian Blind Football team, representing the country across 10 nations and earning multiple individual honours. His journey, shaped by grit and family support, has turned Gujarat into one of India's leading states for football for the visually impaired.

From Banaskantha to the national stage

Vaghela lost his eyesight in childhood, but the setback did not weaken his ambition. Encouraged by his family and his village community, he moved between locations before finding his footing in Ahmedabad, where he first began playing organised football.

His father, Tejubhai Vaghela, said his son travelled to several places in search of the right platform, and the villagers rallied behind him once his talent emerged. Since then, Vaghela has climbed steadily from the state ranks to the national squad.

A defender for India, a striker for Gujarat

Sharing his journey, Vaghela said, ‘I have travelled to 10 countries to play. I have also won the Best Player title on two or three occasions. I play as a defender for the Indian team, while I play as a striker for the Gujarat team. I have also received the Top Scorer award three times.'

His standout moment came at the BRICS Blind Football Tournament in Moscow in 2025, where he was named Best Player for his performance against Brazil — a marquee recognition in a discipline that rarely gets mainstream attention in India.

The role of the Blind People's Association

The Blind People's Association (BPA) in Ahmedabad has been central to Vaghela's development, providing structured training, coaching and access to a dedicated ground.

Bhushan Punani, General Secretary of the BPA, said, ‘The organisation has state-of-the-art football ground in Naz village. A Premier League match has been held here for the second time. Today, thanks to Vishnu Vaghela's courage, initiative, and determination, Gujarat has emerged as a leading state in the country for Football for the Blind.'

Why it matters

India's para-sports ecosystem has expanded sharply in recent years, but blind football still operates on limited infrastructure and sponsorship. Vaghela's rise — and Gujarat's emergence as a hub — highlights how targeted institutional support, combined with community backing, can produce internationally competitive athletes even in under-resourced disciplines.

For his family and the residents of Banaskantha, his captaincy is a source of pride. For India's growing base of visually impaired athletes, it is proof that a rural background and disability need not close doors to global sport.