BRICS tourney will promote sports in country: Goel

A Government of India initiative, the first BRICS U-17 football tournament will be held in Goa from October 5-15. The tournament is to be played amongst the five BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The dates of the tournament have been coordinated to culminate with the Eighth Annual BRICS Summit also being held in Goa

he Goan Network

Panaji

Sports Minister Vijay Goel on revealed on Monday that it is the endeavour of Modi government to promote sports in the entire nation and that's the precise reason why the prime minister has conceived the BRICS U-17 tournament and accepted to conduct the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017, which exemplifies the cultural exchange programme with the idea of promoting sports as well.

Addressing the media after unveiling the BRICS U-17 football tournament logo ahead of the inaugural edition which will be held in Goa from October 5-15, Goel said: "As part of a series of BRICS events to be held in Goa, it has been decided to include the BRICS U-17 Football Tournament.The idea of organizing a BRICS nation tournament was conceived by Prime Minister Modi and hence the first edition is being held in India."

The sports minister further stated that sports teaches about failure, joy, disappointment, excitement winning, losing, maturity, team-work, humility, selflessness and most importantly, the sportsmen spirit.

“In this tournament we have players in the U-17 age group with the aim of promoting football in India from five different nations which will lead to a stronger bond of friendship and strengthening of our relationship. I am sure that in addition to this, they will show a competitive spirit, display warmth for a lasting friendship among the participating nations," Goel said.

Talking further, he said that India have got to take concrete steps to promote football in the country. “From October onwards, all children will adopt football across the length and breadth of the country. This football extravaganza will culminate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup tournament scheduled in India in October 2017. We shall see 24 international teams participating in the tournament in six major venues of the country,” Goel, picturising the growth of youth football over the next one year, revealed.

Meanwhile, Goel expressed unhappiness over the top football clubs of the country leaving the I-League and promised to speak to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to look into the matter.

Goel promised he will find a solution. "I will speak to those from the federation and ask them to find a solution to the problem," replied Goel when asked if he was concerned about the exodus of top-flight teams from the I-league, following the emergence of Indian Super League (ISL).