In his 18th edition of 'Mann ki Baat', Prime Miniter Narendra Modi addressed the nation about the importance of the upcoming FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be held in India next year. India won the bid to host the prestigious tournament back in 2013 and have since then ensured the country is prepared well enough to host the tournament.
FIFA delegates from around the world visited India and expected the state of the stadia across the country checking if whether they met the European standards of hosting professional football matches. The team were satisfied and thus gave India the go-ahead to prepare for the tournament.
Speaking on the achievement of the country for winning the bid, PM Narendra Modi was delighted and said it presented a chance for the country to 'brand itself at the world stage' and to instill the passion of football across the corners of the country.
"It is an opportunity for us to instill in our youth the passion of football. Due to the tournament that we are hosting, we will get an opportunity to create good sporting infrastructure also. I believe that the FIFA Under-17 World Cup is a big chance for us to present the brand of India on a global level," he said.
"We must make efforts to see to it, football reaches every corner of country. It is a golden opportunity to establish the country's identity in the world. I would like every youth of the country to become an ambassador of the 2017 FIFA Under-17," he added.
Here's the full video as recorded on news channel, Times Now.
FIFA Under-17 World Cup is an opportunity for India: PM Modi
Posted by The Times of India on Saturday, 26 March 2016
