The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi met the India U-17 Team at the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi on Friday.
The India U-17 team, which represented the nation in a FIFA World Cup for the first time in history, was invited by Modi after it returned from Saudi Arabia following the AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers.
On the meeting, Modi said, "I personally requested for this meeting as I saw some spark in all of you. Based on your performance people have started knowing you so there is a huge responsibility on your shoulders."
READ: India on the right path
He further added that the boys must stay together as a team and in a few years time should establish themselves as professional players.
"Consider this U-17 WC as a preparation for the future. I hope you stick together as a team and in 5-7 years time represent the country with great laurels", he stated.
The sports-enthusiast personnel, who has mentioned the significance of sports umpteenth times in ' Mann ki Baat ', expressed that "there is no life without sports". "There is no life without sports. Football is a very intense game. Hope you can inspire people to inculcate sports as part of their daily lives", the Prima Minister added.
ALSO READ: Patel to present India’s U-20 WC candidature to FIFA council
The PM who was present at the JLN Stadium in New Delhi during India's opener against the USA on October 6, said Jeakson's goal against Colombia in its second match was the "biggest reason for all of us to celebrate". "When Jeakson scored the goal it gave the biggest reason for all of us to celebrate."
The India U-17 team, along with the U-19 boys, is now slated to ply its trade in the upcoming I-League 2017-18.
Comments
SHARE