Asian Cup 2019: Indian national team donates amount collected as fines to blind footballers

The Indian national football team has decided to donate a sum of Rs 50,000 collected as fines from players to the Indian Blind Football Federation.

The sanctions which have been prevalent over the past few years in the form of monetary fines have been collected for breach of discipline like arriving late for sessions, carrying mobile phones for meals, wearing the wrong attire, etc.

The head coach Stephen Constantine decided to contribute the money gathered from these sanctions to the Blind Football team, which will go towards the purchase of footballs.

Constantine felt “it’s important to give it back to the community.”

“The footballs which the blind footballers use cost $50 each. So we are helping them buy some new footballs,” he said.

“We collectively agreed among everybody within the National Team -- the players, and the staff that any money collected from fines or any misdemeanours will be donated for a good cause. It's just a very small gesture, but it shows that we can."

Indian Blind Football Team

National Team goalkeeper and captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stated the players “support the noble cause wholeheartedly.”

“We love this concept of helping others with the money,” explained Gurpreet. “The sanctions are there to impart discipline amongst us. Although nobody wants to be fined, this initiative makes us believe in the larger aspects of life. If we are able to contribute for a cause or help, why not. It helps us be better individuals.”

Meanwhile, Sunil J Mathew, Sporting Director, IBFF, thanked the Blue Tigers for their initiative. "This is to acknowledge and thank you for the donation towards helping cover the stay & kit expenses at the National Blind Football Academy at Kochi,” he commented.

“We would like to especially thank the entire AIFF Coaching staff & the National Team for their support. We wish the entire team the very best for the Asian Cup.”

This is not the first time that the national team is contributing to a good cause. Back in 2017, the Blue Tigers donated Rs 1.3 lakh in support of women empowerment to a self-defence centre in Mumbai. The money received from the national team was used to revamp the centre.

India thrashed Thailand 4-1 in their Asian Cup opener and will face UAE next on January 10 at 9.30 pm IST.