Lost Vision as a Baby, Now Captains India: 27-YO Footballer’s Story Will Change How You See Disability
When Vishnu Vaghela speaks about football, his voice lights up with an energy that’s hard to miss. You wouldn’t guess he lost his vision as a baby. Or that he grew up in a small farming village in Gujarat with limited resources. Today, at just 27, he’s captaining the Indian Blind Football Team — with medals, accolades, and admiration coming from across the world.
In January 2025, Vishnu was named Best Player at the prestigious BRICS Blind Football Tournament in Moscow. For a player who once ran barefoot on dusty village paths, scoring a penalty against Brazil in an international shootout was more than just a personal win — it was a statement.
Vishnu Vaghela grew up in a humble farming family in Vada village, Gujarat, surrounded by the quiet strength of his parents and grandmother.
“It was my best performance so far,” he says. “The atmosphere, the weather, the tournament — everything felt right. And pushing Brazil into a shootout was a big achievement.”
But behind the headlines lies a story of persistence, groundedness, and deep gratitude.
A childhood without sight
“I come from Vada village, two hours from Palanpur. My father is a farmer, and I’m the eldest of six siblings,” Vishnu shares. “When I was a baby, I was sitting in my grandmother’s lap when my eyes suddenly turned white. The doctors said a nerve was damaged.”
Till Class 4, Vishnu had partial vision. But after that, he became fully blind. His parents made repeated efforts to restore his vision, but nothing worked. Seeing their struggle and financial burden, Vishnu told them to stop. “I said, I’ll live life as a visually impaired person — and I’ll make the best of it.”
Despite limited resources, Vishnu’s parents encouraged his education and dreams, becoming his earliest pillars of support.
After finishing Class 4 in a regular school, Vishnu joined Mamta Mandir, a special school for the blind under the Vidyamandir Trust in Palanpur. It was here that his spark for learning reignited, and his love for sports began to blossom.
Later, when he heard about the Blind People’s Association (BPA) in Ahmedabad — one of India’s largest NGOs working in the disability sector — he decided to move there. BPA became a turning point. “I learnt how to use computers, studied Japanese massage techniques… but what truly changed my life was football.”
Rooted in family values, Vishnu carried the hopes of his entire village when he set out for Ahmedabad to chase new dreams.
Vishnu’s love for sports started with cricket. As a promising all-rounder, he was even selected as vice-captain of Gujarat’s blind cricket team in 2016–17. But football was where his heart truly lay. “Since 2018, I’ve been focusing entirely on football. Whatever I am today is because of BPA,” he says.
Vishnu plays as a defender for the Indian national team and takes on a more attacking role as a midfielder for the Gujarat state team, which he also captains. His ability to adapt across positions has made him a key asset in every match he plays.
Vishnu, seen here with fellow national players, brings passion and versatility to every match he plays for India.
Like many young footballers, Vishnu looks up to international icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. At home, Sunil Chhetri holds his respect. “But the one I identify with most in terms of gameplay is Sandesh Jhingan,” he says. His coach even jokingly calls him ‘Jhingan’ on the field.
In blind football, players rely on sound and spatial awareness rather than sight. The ball contains bearings that rattle, helping players track it by sound. But it’s far from easy. “In Moscow, the matches were played indoors, so echoes from the crowd and the ball made it very hard to judge direction. But we stayed focused.”
Currently recovering from a left knee surgery, Vishnu is using the downtime to mentor young players at the Blind People’s Association (BPA) in Ahmedabad. “It’s not just about giving back. I genuinely enjoy helping others. It gives me happiness,” he says.
Following a knee surgery, Vishnu remains determined — using his recovery period to mentor and inspire young talents at BPA.
Dr Bhushan Punani, General Secretary of BPA, calls Vishnu “accurate, powerful, and outstanding.” Sunil J Mathew, Head Coach of the Indian Blind Football Team, praises his discipline and drive: “He’s one of the best defenders — and one of our future stars.”
Before his injury, Vishnu trained rigorously — three hours every morning and two in the evening. “I take my diet seriously. I don’t eat outside food or anything fried. I’m a vegetarian, so the BPA hostel gives me high-protein meals, sprouts, fruits… I mix it up with running and different workouts every day.”
Building a future beyond sight
Vishnu sees himself as a calm player on the field. “Football can get aggressive, and sometimes tempers rise. But even when I’m upset, I try not to lose my cool. If someone from the rival team falls, I help him up.”
The Indian Blind Football Team — a band of players rewriting what’s possible with courage, skill, and heart.
Sociable and warm, Vishnu is often surrounded by friends at BPA. He has completed a BA in History and is hopeful of getting a job at the State Bank of India soon. But ask him about his biggest goal, and he doesn’t hesitate — “To grow blind football in India.”
For Vishnu, football isn’t just a game. It’s a way to create visibility, dignity, and joy — not just for himself, but for thousands of others like him.
Edited by Khushi Arora; All images courtesy Vishnu Vaghela
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