PM Modi Encourages Under-17 Players to Aim Higher After World Cup

PM Modi praises the U-17 football team and to aim higher.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he saw "spark" in the under-17 footballers who represented India in their maiden FIFA World Cup, and encouraged them to consider it as stepping stone to bigger things.

The Prime Minister invited the players after they came back from Saudi Arabia following the AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers.

Had an excellent interaction with the Indian Team that participated in the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in India recently. https://t.co/aqzvNr1gCe pic.twitter.com/FxJUm7jX1w

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2017

I personally requested for this meeting as I saw some spark in all of you. Based on your performance, people are getting to know you, so there is a huge responsibility on your shoulders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to coach Luis Norton de Matos’ boys

My friend Rahim Ali from West Bengal is making a mark as a striker. He made India proud at the SAFF U-16 Championship. pic.twitter.com/eLKt51hTRU

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2017

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Indian Team Didn’t Win the U-17 World Cup, But Won Hearts: PM Modi

Jeakson Singh Thounaojam’s name will be remembered in the history of Indian football forever! This youngster from Manipur became the first Indian to score a goal in a FIFA U-17 World Cup. Proud of him. pic.twitter.com/V9HHJsQLcW

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2017

Delighted to interact with Komal Thatal, the stupendous midfielder who hails from Sikkim. He has played over 30 games for India. pic.twitter.com/nG5R6e9len

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2017

Many teams fail to score against India because of the formidable presence of Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem. He has played 50 matches for India. pic.twitter.com/nDU5CAtAJA

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2017

He further added that they must stay together as a team, and in a few years time should establish themselves as professional players.

"Consider this U17WC as just a preparation for the future. I hope you stick together as a team, and in five to seven years’ time, represent the country with great laurels," Modi stated.

Modi, a sports enthusiast, who has spoken about 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,” Modi said.

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‘India Has Delivered a Hugely Successful U-17 World Cup’: FIFA

The under-17 team presented PM Modi with the team jersey during their interaction on Friday.

The PM, who was present at the JLN Stadium in the capital during India's FIFA U-17 World Cup opener against USA on 6 October, said that Jeakson Singh's goal against Colombia in their second game was the "biggest reason for all of us to celebrate".

(With inputs from PTI)

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