Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore met and wished luck to the Indian squad for the the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 on Tuesday in Delhi.

“The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 is a very important occasion as for the first time an Indian team will participate in a FIFA Tournament and thus it is a great pleasure to be amongst them”, said the Sports Minister. Addressing the Indian U-17 World Cup squad members, he said, “You are going to play the game of your life and every moment counts. When you enter the field, you should enter to win.” “Every game you play in the World Cup will be the game of your lives and the games will be etched in your memory forever, so play for your life and play to win.” “Each and everyone of you can inspire this nation by what you do on the football field," Rathore added. Wishing the young colts best of luck the Sports Minister said, “Wish you all a great game, we will be cheering for you. Never give up and play strong” All India Football Federation’s General Secretary Kushal Das, who was also present at the ocassion said, “We are ready for the event and this is just a beginning for Indian Football, there is a long way to go.” The Indian U-17 World Cup Squad’s COO Abhishek Yadav thanked the Sports Minister and said, “His words left all of us inspired and motivated. Every player in the Indian squad was brimming with confidence and it was an immense pleasure for me and the entire squad to meet him” Meanwhile, the Indian team continued to practice in the capital ahead of their clash against USA on October 06 in their first match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. India are in Group A alongside USA, Cololmbia and Ghana.