Football star Ryan Williams shares heartfelt message to Indian athletes making debut at Commonwealth Games 2026
(Courtesy : AIFF Media)
Ryan Williams urged athletes to embrace the moment and represent India with pride.
India international and Bengaluru FC forward Ryan Williams has shared an emotional message for athletes set to make their India debut at the Commonwealth Games 2026, encouraging them to embrace the occasion and compete with pride.
In a video released by the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), Williams recalled his first experience of wearing the Indian jersey, encouraging the athletes preparing for one of the biggest moments of their sporting careers.
“Play with pride, play with passion” – Ryan Williams
Congratulating India’s debutants, Williams reflected on his own first appearance in national colours, calling it one of the proudest moments of his life. The Bengaluru FC winger said representing India was not only a personal milestone but also a moment of immense pride for his family.
Recalling his debut, Williams said it remains a memory he will cherish forever and encouraged the athletes to embrace the opportunity with confidence.
Acknowledging that nerves are a natural part of competing on the international stage, he advised the debutants to channel those emotions in the right direction. “You’re going to have butterflies, but make sure they’re all flying in the same direction.”
The India international also urged the athletes to give their all whenever they represent the country.
“Play with pride, play with passion. Leave everything out there. Most importantly, have fun and soak it all in because you’ll remember these moments forever.” Williams’ message centred on embracing the occasion, enjoying the experience and making the most of the opportunity to wear the Indian colours on one of sport’s biggest stages.
Williams’ message carries added significance given his own path to representing India. Born in Australia, the winger renounced his Australian citizenship to obtain an Indian passport, making himself eligible to play for the Blue Tigers. His mother is from Mumbai, and his decision fulfilled a long-standing family dream of representing India.
After completing the lengthy eligibility process approved by FIFA, Williams made his India debut earlier this year, scoring within four minutes against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers to register the fastest goal by an Indian men’s national team debutant.
With India set to field several first-time competitors at the Commonwealth Games, Williams’ message serves as both motivation and a reminder to cherish the privilege of representing the nation on the international stage.
When will the Commonwealth Games 2026 begin?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 will begin on July 23.
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Haritmaa Sharma is an aspiring sports journalist with hands-on experience in investigative reporting, digital content creation, and event coverage. Passionate about telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard—especially in cricket, racket sports, grassroots football, and emerging sports narratives.