Members of Parliament cutting across party lines participated with enthusiasm in a mass awareness programme for promoting sports culture in the country, particularly the game of football.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
In his first visit to India since being elected the FIFA President Gianni Infantino labelled India as the "passionate giant," of Football. Infantino was in Goa as the local organising committee of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 (LOC) unveiled the official emblem for what will be India's first international football event.
Hadji Drame (15th minute) and Djemoussa Traore (61st) scored for Mali, while Kudus Mohammed (70th) scored a consolation goal for Ghana.
Both sides will be high on confidence with an aim to come out all guns blazing.
With an aim to make the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup a huge success, the Sports Ministry has urged all the states and Union Territories to take necessary steps to popularise and promote football in their region by including the game in various programmes. In a letter sent to all Chief Secretaries of states and Union Territories, Secretary, Department of Sports Rajiv Yadav has said that FIFA U-17 World Cup is going to be held in India in October 2017 for the first time. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' programme on March 27, the letter said that the Prime Minister has called for building an atmosphere and fervor of football in the country as a run up to the FIFA U-17 World Cup. He said the Prime Minister wants football to be played in every nook and corner of the country. The communication further said that following the call of the Prime Minister, the Department of Sports has initiated a series of steps to popularise football throughout the country.
Ishant is on course to become only the second Indian fast bowler, after the great Kapil Dev, to complete 100 Tests for the country.
Spain will take on Asian surprise package Iran, who knocked out fancied Mexico by a similar margin in the day's one pre-quarterfinal clash at Margao, Goa.
The football fans in Kochi will get a chance to witness a fascinating contest between Brazilian attacking flare and Spanish 'tiki-taka' possession football in what could be a final before the final of this tournament.
Indian freestyle wrestlers claim Asian team title in U-17 category
The FIFA Under-17 World Cup Trophy arrived in Goa -- the land of beaches -- on Friday after mesmerising Mumbai last week.
FIFA legends Carlos Valderrama and Marcel Desailly on Wednesday advised the Indian colts to view the upcoming FIFA Under-17 World Cup as a huge opportunity to shine on the international stage and perform to their potential.
Hakim won the Santosh Trophy for Services in 1960 and continued to be a part of the squad till 1966. At club level, he played for City College Old Boys (Hyderabad) and Indian Air Force.
Women's football is expected to get a boost with India hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup next year and the AFC Asian Cup in 2022.
'It was a nice experience and I felt on cloud nine when I scored the goal'
Sunil Chhetri became the 8th top scorer in international football after equalling Brazil legend Pele's goal tally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday graced Indian football's historic moment when he greeted players of both the teams ahead of India's opening FIFA U-17 World Cup match against USA, in New Delhi.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Monday '
The Indian football team's 13-match unbeaten run ended as it lost 1-2 to an attacking Kyrgyzstan
Javier Ceppi, tournament director of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be hosted by India next year, expressed his happiness about the way things were moving ahead in the preparation of the tournament.
The view is that the attention on the national team is fleeting, incidental and dependent on the results they produce.
'Our defence system starts with our first four and that's why we have a solid defence. People look to Brazil and always try to find players who score or dribble but we have many other qualities. With our goalkeeper and defenders, we have a solid defence' 'It's pretty exciting for us and we are looking to do something great here'
With India gearing up to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup next year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he sees the "outset of a footballing atmosphere" in the country that longs to one day compete in the sport's showpiece event.
Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro struck twice, including one in the final minute of the game, as FC Pune City staged a remarkable fightback to beat Mumbai City FC 2-1 in the Indian Super league (ISL) in Pune on Wednesday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
Former captain Sourav Ganguly believes India will win the upcoming five-match ODI series against Australia but said that a 5-0 whitewash is unlikely against the visitors.
Bembem hoped the Padma Shri will act as recognition for women's football in India.
India's chances of the hosting the Under-20 World Cup in 2019 have brightened after the overwhelming success of Under-17 World Cup which is all set to topple China-1985 as the best attended event in the tournament's history.
'I hope Messi wins something with his national team and not only with his club, then he would have won everything with everyone'
Jan-Fiete Arp (8th minute), Nicolas Kuehn (62nd) and Sahverdi Cetin (90+2) netted for the winners, while Ibrahima Soumah got the lone goal for Guinea in the 26th minute in the final Group C match at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium.
India are set to get past China as the best-attended FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Now, the sensational actress has lent her support to Indian football as the country prepares to host the FIFA Under-17 Word Cup in October, later this year.
India qualified automatically for the event as hosts. They have prepared well with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) sending the players for training tours in Europe and a tournament in Mexico but the home side are the clear underdogs.
The FIFA legends, including World Cup winner Frenchman Marcel Desailly, Colombian great Carlos Valderrama, Spain's Fernando Morientes, Mexican Jorge Campos and Nigerian Emmanuel Amuneke, will roll back the years and turn out for a short match at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
The 2021 men's and women's U-17 European Championships have been cancelled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, UEFA said on Friday.
Expressing serious concern at the unsavoury incident that happened after the Indian Super League final in Goa on Sunday, All India Football Federation president Praful Patel said on Monday he was awaiting the match commissioner's report before cracking the whip on the wrongdoers.
'I started watching videos of Shane Warne sir, and that's where I realised what leg-spin is. He was my idol, and I wanted to be like him, bowl like him.'
Indian shuttlers bagged the Asian Youth badminton championship titles in both Under-15 and Under-17 categories to wrap up the tournament with two gold and two bronze, their best ever performance at the competition, in Kudus, Indonesia, on Sunday.
Indian football was a picture of good health with a 10-man under-20 outfit's triumph over Argentina
The AIFF on Thursday welcomed the government's decision to approve its bid to host the U-17 World Cup in 2017, saying it will be a "game-changer for Indian football" provided the country eventually gets to organise the quadrennial event.
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