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Narendra Modi meets the Indian Team that played the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017

Published at :November 10, 2017 at 3:49 PM
Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM
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(Courtesy : PMO)

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 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoted the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 to the best of his ability and the lads had a taste of it.

Indian Prime Narendra Modi met the Indian Team that participated in the recently concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup on 10th of November 2017 to congratulate India's future footballing heroes.  During the interaction, the players talked about the experience and exposure that they gained during FIFA, both on and off the field. 

The Prime Minister encouraged the players to not feel disappointed with the outcome of the tournament, but to treat it as a learning opportunity. He said competing with enthusiasm and spirit is the first step to success. 

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The Prime Minister said India can achieve a lot in football. He also mentioned that sports help in developing personality, building confidence, and in overall development. 

Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, was present on the occasion. 

Shri Narendra 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." He further added that the boys must stay together as a team and in a few years time should establish themselves as professional players.

One for the memories, Narendra Modi received the No. 5 jersey from Indian captain Amarjit Singh Kiyam. Sanjeev Stalin wore the No. 5 jersey during the World Cup

"Consider this U-17WC as just 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", Shri Narendra Modi added. Honourable Prime Minister who was present at the JLN Stadium in New Delhi during India's FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 opener against the USA on October 6, 2017, said that Jeakson's goal against Colombia in their 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 India U-19 boys are now slated to ply their trade in the upcoming Hero I-League 2017-18.

A major part of the team recently returned from Saudi Arabia after playing the AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers, losing 5-0 to the host country, drawing goalless against Yemen and defeating Turkmenistan 3-0. Some of the players that were a part of the side which participated in the U-17 World Cup were missing. 

Namit Deshpande and Sunny Dhaliwal have returned to their respective countries to complete their studies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has backed the World Cup and FIFA recently wrote a letter, praising the proactive Prime Minister and the team that arranged the World Cup successfully, making it the most viewed FIFA U-17 World Cup in the history of the tournament. 

The team is set to play the upcoming I-league season under the AIFF's pilot project, the Indian Arrows. Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi is set to play the host for the team. 

 Here's how the Prime Minister greeted each player: 

 

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