Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh | April 2026:

The 1st Promotional North Zone Goalball Championship 2026 was successfully held from 21st to 23rd April 2026 at the prestigious Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar International Krida Sankul in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The championship was organized by the Goalball Federation of India (GFI) and hosted by the Goalball Sports Association Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant step toward promoting inclusive sports in the region.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from five states, including Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh, with a total of 52 players competing in the tournament. The championship provided a competitive platform for athletes to demonstrate their skills, coordination, and determination in the sport of goalball.

The inauguration ceremony was conducted by Colonel Pushkar Singh and Colonel Mayank, adding prestige and encouragement to the event. Their presence emphasized the importance of sports in building discipline, teamwork, and confidence among athletes.

The championship was conducted under the supervision of the Regional Sports Officer, Ayodhya, Mr. Animesh Saxena, ensuring smooth execution and high organizational standards throughout the event.

The matches were highly competitive and kept spectators engaged, reflecting the growing popularity of goalball in India.

Results:
In the boys’ category, Uttar Pradesh secured the 1st position, followed by Haryana A in 2nd place and Haryana B in 3rd place.
In the girls’ category, Haryana A claimed the 1st position, while Haryana B finished in 2nd place.

The Goalball Federation of India (GFI), the governing body for goalball in the country, continues to play a crucial role in developing and promoting the sport, particularly for visually impaired athletes. Through such zonal and national-level championships, GFI aims to identify emerging talent, provide structured opportunities, and strengthen India’s presence in international goalball competitions.

The primary objective of the championship was to promote goalball at the grassroots and zonal levels while offering players a platform to advance to higher levels of competition.

Organizers expressed satisfaction over the successful of the event and reaffirmed their commitment to hosting more such tournaments in the future to further encourage athletes and expand the reach of goalball across India.