One year after its founding, the Johannesburg Blind Football Association (JBFA) celebrated its first milestone with a special Blind Football Match Day on June 6 at The Patterson Park sports complex in Joburg.

The one-year anniversary celebration brought players, coaches, supporters and stakeholders together to reflect on progress and map the future of the sport.

JBFA was established on June 7, 2025, in La Rochelle, Johannesburg, by Mlungisi Msibi, founder of Corinthians NPO.

The association was created to build structured opportunities for blind and visually impaired footballers, promote inclusion, and expand access to football for athletes who have traditionally been underrepresented in mainstream sport.

The anniversary event featured league matches that showcased the skill and determination of JBFA players.

The day also included recognition of achievements over the past 12 months and panel discussions focused on the next phase of development for blind football in the city.

“Over the past year, JBFA has worked to develop blind football through regular league activities, player development initiatives, and community engagement,” Msibi said.

Efforts by the JBFA have created more competitive opportunities for visually impaired athletes while raising public awareness about the sport.

Msibi, who leads both JBFA and Corinthians NPO, said the goal from day one was to move blind football from occasional exhibition matches to a structured, year-round program.

The league format introduced this year has given players consistent game time and a platform to develop technical skills specific to blind football, including the use of the audible ball and spatial awareness through sound.

Stakeholders at the event discussed plans to grow participation, train more coaches in adaptive techniques, and strengthen partnerships with schools and disability organisations across Johannesburg.

With its first year complete, JBFA says it will focus on expanding leagues, hosting more community outreach events, and building pathways for players to compete at the provincial and national level.