Tragic accident in Haveri claims life of 13, including blind footballer Manasa S

A tragic incident occurred on the morning of Friday, June 28, as blind footballer Manasa S died in a fatal road accident at Gundenahalli Cross in Haveri, Karnataka. Manasa hailed from Emmehatti in Bhadravati taluk of Shivamogga district, the daughter of Sharangi Rao and Bhagyamma. Manasa, 25, was among 13 pilgrims who lost their lives in the pre-dawn accident.

She was traveling in a tempo traveler with 17 other people, including her mother, when the vehicle met with an accident. Sadly, both Manasa and her 45-year-old mother, Bhagyamma, lost their lives. The remaining four people reportedly suffered major injuries.

Mahalakshmi, Manasa’s elder sister, shed light on the footballer’s ambitions of becoming an IAS officer and serving the nation.

“My sister has been visually impaired since birth. She excelled in sports and academics, winning numerous cups and medals. She was the first captain of Karnataka’s blind women’s football team and aspired to become an IAS officer. She was attending coaching classes for the civil service examination,” Mahalakshmi was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

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Manasa S’s football career

Manasa S was a talented football player, leading the Karnataka team to victory in the National Blind Football Championship in 2021. She also represented India in the Asia Cup. Manasa studied at Sharada Blind School in Gopala Gowda Badavane and was a degree holder in MSc.

Waseem Akram, a coach at the Karnataka Blind Football Association, reflected on Manasa’s journey in football during a conversation with the aforementioned publication.

“She came into contact with the association in 2021 and became captain of the blind women’s team. That year, for the first time, the Karnataka team took part in the Women’s National Blind Football Championship, held in Chennai, and won the championship. The next year, the team was runner-up in the tournament held in Pune," said Waseem.

“She represented India in the 2022 IBSA Women’s Asia-Oceania Blind Football Championship held at Kochi and played one international match against Japan," he added.