As part of the buildup to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh flagged off the 'Oorja CAPF U-19 Football Talent Hunt Tournament’, an U-19 men’s and women’s football competition, here on Sunday. Also present at the venue, the India Gate, were Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (IC), Vijay Goel; Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiran Rijiju; and Minister of State Home Affairs, Hansraj Ahir.
Decorated athletes from across an array of sports were present including wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Babita Phogat, cricket legend Kapil Dev, badminton coach P. Gopichand, boxer M.C. Mary Kom and former football stars Bhaichung Bhutia and I.M. Vijayan. They all pledged their support and gave their backing to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in October, and its legacy programme, Mission XI Million. The programme plans to reach out to 11 million children before the start of the tournament.
Rajnath Singh felt ‘Oorja’ would help in spreading the game across the country and add excitement leading up to the much-awaited tournament, the first big-ticket FIFA event to be hosted by India.
Javier Ceppi, the Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee for the U-17 World Cup, said: “We are appreciative to the Ministry of Home Affairs for their support by launching this competition that will integrate into Mission XI Million and help take football to every nook and corner of India, which is our objective in the run up to the event. This is another proof of the importance that the game is taking in the country and of the overwhelming support that Government of India is providing the World Cup and Mission XI Million. With all such activities, football will truly take over India.”
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