Who WE Are
Our Guiding Principles
Vision
A nation where persons with visual impairment have equal access to sports, their abilities are celebrated, and they excel at every level.
Mission
To develop and promote sports for the visually impaired across India by identifying talent, providing training, and creating global opportunities.
Objectives
- To promote, popularize, and enhance the level of sports among persons with visual impairment.
- To introduce new sports for the visually impaired and train coaches and technical staff for those sports.
- To identify and support sporting talent among the visually impaired, starting at the grassroots level.
- To provide structured training, coaching, and opportunities for skill development in sports.
- To prepare athletes/players for participation in international competitions and help them gain global recognition.
- To instill confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of sportsmanship among visually impaired sportspersons.
- To develop and train sight classifiers and contribute to fair competition.
Our Journey Through Time
From humble beginnings in the 1970s to becoming India’s leading voice in blind sports,
here’s how the Indian Blind Sports Association came to life.
1970s
Humble Beginnings
The foundation of the Indian Blind Sports Association (IBSA) was laid in the early 1970s when the Blind Relief Association, Delhi (BRAD) began organizing outdoor sports activities for its visually impaired students. Over time, these efforts grew to include other institutions in Delhi, planting the seeds for a broader blind sports movement in India.
1980
Helen Keller Memorial Sports Meet
A landmark moment came on 28 December 1980, when BRAD, in collaboration with the National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH), Dehradun, hosted the Helen Keller Memorial Sports Meet at Delhi Public School, Mathura Road. The event, held in honor of Helen Keller’s birth centenary, brought together 40 participants from 14 schools for the blind, setting a new precedent for structured sports events for the visually impaired.
1982
India’s First All India Blind Sports Meet
Inspired by the excitement around the IX Asian Games, students of BRAD’s school expressed a desire to participate in similar competitive events. Responding to their enthusiasm, BRAD organized India’s first All India Blind Sports Meet in December 1982, again at DPS Mathura Road. The event attracted 175 participants from 17 institutions across 10 states, and was inaugurated by Union Minister Khursheed Alam Khan. This became the first in a series of national events that continued in 1983 and 1985.
1986
Formation of IBSA
Recognizing the growing scale of participation, BRAD led the initiative to create a permanent national body for blind sports. On 8 April 1986, the Indian Blind Sports Association (IBSA) was formally registered. Mrs. Manju Bharat Ram, a dedicated educationist and philanthropist, served as the Founding Chairperson. That same year, IBSA organized its first National Blind Sports Meet under its own banner, marking the start of a new chapter.
1994
The Indigenous Era
During the early years, national meets were governed by indigenous rules, with athletes competing blindfolded, without any formal classification system. Events included 50m and 100m sprints, sack race, long jump, shot put, three-legged race, stilts walking, weightlifting, and even chess and swimming. This period laid the groundwork for inclusive competition and mass participation.
1996
Global Standards Adopted
In 1996, IBSA transitioned to international standards by adopting the B1 (totally blind) and B2 (partially sighted) classifications. It also introduced Paralympic-style events such as 100m, 200m, javelin, discus, long jump, and shot put, enhancing the competitive structure and athlete preparation.
International Recognition
IBSA received international recognition in 1997 as India’s official representative at the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). This affiliation opened the door for Indian athletes to compete on global platforms and helped standardize sports across the country.
2004
Affiliation with PCI
On 23 July 2004, IBSA became affiliated with the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), aligning its operations with the broader para-sports framework. This strengthened national coordination and boosted athlete representation at global events.
2020s
Expansion & Inclusion
IBSA continued to grow, adding sports such as football, goalball, judo, and kabaddi to its roster, alongside athletics. It introduced structured training camps, webinars, and awareness programs, while investing in sight classification and gender inclusion initiatives.
A National Network
By 2024, IBSA had grown to a network of 267 affiliated institutions from 27 states and union territories. The organization adopted a state-based membership model, forming 18 state-level affiliates and four sport-specific federations: Football, Goalball, Judo, and Kabaddi—making it India’s most robust blind sports structure to date.
A Legacy of Support
IBSA’s progress would not have been possible without the continued support of the Blind Relief Association, Delhi, which has provided infrastructure, staffing, financial assistance, and logistical support since its inception. Today, IBSA stands as India’s oldest and most recognized organization for blind sports—even preceding the formation of PCI in this specialized field.