Shillong, Oct 14: Klingson D Marak has been selected in the Indian blind football team that will participate in the 5th Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
India will play South Korea on 16th October, followed by Japan (17th October), Thailand (19th October), Iran (20th October) and China (21st October).
The Meghalaya Blind Football Association (MBFA) sent state team players to participate in trials in New Delhi from 25th to 28th May. The Indian Blind Football Federation then called up and shortlisted several players from Meghalaya, including Klingson, Prakash D Shira, Johnborlang Pyngrope and goalkeeper Visiondo M Sangma.
Klingson was then included in the Indian squad, which left on 12th October for Japan.
A regular player for India over the past six years, Klingson has been to Japan earlier this year where the national team finished fourth in the IBSA Men’s Blind Football Championship in April after wins against Australia and Uzbekistan.
He has also represented Meghalaya to great success regionally and nationally. In July, Meghalaya won the 7th Men’s Northeast Zonal Blind Football Championship under his leadership. His club team Meghalaya Chalang also finished second in the 2nd Indian Blind Football Premier League, also in July.
“He has worked hard, pursues his career based at the blind football academy and serves as a prominent team leader for both the nation and the Meghalaya blind football team,” MBFA Secretary Jhonlavin Ch Marak said in a release. “The Meghalaya Blind Football Association wishes him a successful tournament at the Para Asian Games and hopes he will once again be named Best Player of the event.”
(File photo)