Football is the oldest sport for the deaf, which has been included in the program of the Summer Deaflympics since 1924. It was then, with the support of the ICSD (International Sports Committee of the Deaf), that football was first included in the Deaflympics program at the World Summer Games of the Deaf, held in Paris, France.
Since then, deaf football has been steadily developing, so that 16 teams took part in the football tournament of the most recent Deaflympics in 2022 in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. And in the qualifying round of that tournament, the number of participating teams exceeded fifty.
Women’s football debuted in the program of the Summer Deaflympics in 2005 in Melbourne (Australia), which today stands firmly on its feet and is developing by leaps and bounds.
Women’s futsal was included in the World Championships program at the 2nd championships in Sofia (Bulgaria) in 2007. For the first time in the history of deaf men’s and women’s football, the world championships for both groups was held in Patras (Greece) in 2008.
Today, football is one of the most prestigious and largest (in terms of the number of participants) sports in the Deaflympic Games program. Currently, in addition to the football tournaments of the Deaflympic Games, various continental world football championships are held (Europe, Asia, Pan-America), in which teams from more than 70 countries participate.
Men’s and women’s futsal are also actively developing and hold various championships.
Due to the growth in the number of teams and the expansion of the geography of football among the deaf, a decision was made to create the Deaf International Football Association (DIFA), which was officially registered by the Registration Chamber in Geneva (Switzerland) on June 14, 2010. Since 2015, DIFA has been a full member of the ISCD, and working contacts have been established between DIFA and FIFA. And in September 2018, DIFA was registered in Moscow (Russia).
DIFA is an officially recognized international organization engaged in the development and popularization of football and futsal for the deaf throughout the world.
The main statutory goals of DIFA are:
- development of football for the deaf throughout the world;
- organization and holding of men’s and women’s world championships in football and futsal for the deaf of all ages in agreement with the ISCD;
- organization and holding of international competitions jointly with other associations;
- management of international sports relations related to football within the framework of DIFA and FIFA;
The main areas of DIFA activity are:
- development of children’s football and futsal for the deaf in the world, as well as the development of football for the deaf in the African region;
- development and creation of specialized manuals on football topics in international sign language;
- holding seminars and conferences for judges, referees, coaches and managers of deaf football;
Following the main development vector, from November 24 to December 3, 2017, in Bangkok (Thailand), ICSD and DIFA held the 1st World Deaf Futsal Championships in the age group U18.
Eight countries took part in the competition: Germany, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Russia, Thailand, Sweden, Uzbekistan.
In accordance with the calendar plan, we have already held the following events:
- December 3-13, 2022 – World Deaf Futsal Championships in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
- December 12, 2022 – 3rd DIFA Congress was held.
- From September 23 to October 7, 2023 – World Deaf Football Championships in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
- 15-20 April 2024: DIFA hosted the Deaf Football Summit and celebrated 100 years of Deaf Football (1924-2024) in Haikou, Hainan Island, China.
- 1-10 June 2024: World Deaf Futsal Championship (U21) in Astana, Kazakhstan.
According to the calendar, we will focus on the following events:
- 18-26 April 2025: World Deaf Football Club Championship (Turkey).
- February 2026: World Deaf Football Championships (U23 Boys and Girls) in Thailand.
- March 2026: World Deaf Futsal Club Championships in Argentina.
- 18 September to 02 October 2027: World Deaf Football Championships in (Australia).
2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the foundation of DIFA (Deaf International Football Associations).
DIFA is ready to conclude contracts with your favorite companies for the placement of a company advertising stand at any event.
Sponsorship photo and video report (video report of the World Deaf Football and Futsal Championship);
Announcement of sponsorship information to leading championships during the award ceremony and the entire event;
Placement of the company flag on the main football field and arena;
Production of flags, badges for promotions with the sponsor’s logo;
DIFA management is ready to discuss with you all possible options for further cooperation with you.
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