ONE of the most important figures in British Paralympic sport visited Hereford to help oversee the draw for an international blind football tournament to be held in the city next summer.

Sir Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee, stopped off at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) to help out with the draw for the IBSA Blind Football European Championships, which will be held at the Venns Lane venue.

He also launched the college's new sports academy for visually impaired people - a UK first.

While there he heaped praise on the college saying it was wonderful that sport was at the heart of such a venue.

The draw saw England placed in Group A with Turkey, Germany, Italy and Poland.

They must either win the tournament or finish runners-up to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Among the many other VIPs present was Dave Clarke, a former England and Team GB blind football captain.

"It's a real pleasure to be back in Hereford and talking about blind football," said Clarke.

"I had a wonderful time here back in 2010 during the World Cup. Those memories will stay with me forever.

"So let's put on the most incredible championships, as I know Hereford and the RNC will."

While there, Sir Philip unveiled the college's Sports Academy, which is already up and running, and will offer a variety of spots to those who are visually impaired.

"Sport can be an amazing vehicle for life," he said.

"But we need to get that word disability out of sport. It has no place in there."

The European Championships take place at the college next August.

In Group B will be Spain, France, Russia, Greece and Belgium.

Great Britain coach Jon Pugh said he thinks his side has a tricky group.

"Germany are an up-and-coming nation in blind football," he said.

"They have got some good players but hopefully we will have too much for them.

"I've never seen Poland play so that will be an interesting one. Playing at home, particularly here in Hereford, is a big advantage though."