India U-17 players delighted with AIFF’s initiative

The All India Football Federation have arranged for the India team members’ parents to watch them play the FIFA U-17 World Cup in New Delhi.

Sanjeev Stalin took the news as a ‘pre-Diwali gift’.

India’s squad members thanked the All India Football Federation for arranging for their parents to watch them play the FIFA U-17 World Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. Logistical arrangements have been put in place by the AIFF for this purpose.

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“On behalf of the team I can say that the AIFF has already planned to get our families to Delhi and host them so that they can watch our games. Even during the AFC U-16 Championship in Goa (in September 2015), the AIFF had ensured that our parents were present during the matches and that made the occasion all the more memorable for us,” captain Amarjit Singh said.

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Other team members also expressed their delight. “This is so motivational,” Aniket Jadhav said. “It’s a great motivation to have your parents around to watch you play in a World Cup,” he added.

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Sanjeev Stalin, who hails from Bengaluru, said that this was a “pre-Diwali gift” for him. “The last time during AFC U-16 Finals all our parents were here. It’s always nice to see your dear ones during the Championship. Thank you AIFF,” he uttered.

Manipur’s Md. Shahjahan admitted this was a “novel concept” for him. “I wasn’t in the squad during the AFC U-16 Finals but since then I have only heard stories from my team-mates about their parents cheering for them. On the 6th (October 6, 2017) when I step on to the ground, I know my parents will be the loudest cheerleaders. Nothing can be more inspirational for me.”