FIFA U-17 World Cup- AFC President Sheikh Salman: Asia talks about India's potential in football

Salman is also a runner for FIFA Presidency

Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman was amongst the guest of honours at the U-17 World Cup event held in Delhi. The AFC President who is also running for the FIFA Presidency this time spoke highly of India and that AFC is confident that the tournament will be a major success.

“Everybody talks about two huge countries in Asia - China and India and what is their potential in football. Of course in Asia, we focus on China and India in the next few years and I am glad and happy that the U-17 World Cup is going to be hosted here in 2017,” he said.

“It's only the beginning. When we talk about football, the game has a lot of passion and emotion. I think this is what we want to bring to India, this is what we want to share with all of you.”

The AFC president handed over the ball to the AIFF and the committee as a mark of them taking over the duties now and to flag off the preparations for the event scheduled in two years time.

“Of course, I like to congratulate the AIFF for the organization they have done so far. I hope the clubs and the national teams can be combined together and made a huge force. But today, we look at the U-17 actually and we saw how the game is so simple yet beautiful. We will be seeing some of that in India in two years. So I am happy to be here and to hand over the ball,” he added.

“It's a way of life that we hand over to our next children and they hand it over to their children. So I guess the next generation will be better and India will put up a great performance in two years. You will always have our official support,” the Bahranian concluded.