With India hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup from October this year, Central Armed Police Forces viz.
Over 12,500 young footballers will play more than 1200 matches in the next three months when the Oorja CAPF U-19 football talent hunt kicks off across the country on May 1.
With India hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup from October this year, Central Armed Police Forces viz. BSF, SSB, ITBP, CRPF, CISF and Assam Rifles, under the aegis of All India Police Sports Control Board (AIPSCB) are organising the event in the country.
The Rs 20 lakhs prize money tournament will be held in three phases and it will culminate with the finals in the capital on July 25.
"Football is a very popular sports and it can be gauged from the fact that while United Nations has 193 members, FIFA has more members than that. I congratulate the team for conceiving the idea and hope football will reach to every village in the country," Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.
"Even in disturbed areas of India, we need to use football to channelise their energy and bring peace to the regions," he added.
Eminent sports personalities, including 1983 World Cup winning cricket captain Kapil Dev, 2001 All England Champion and chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, two-time Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar, five-time World Champion Mary Kom and former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia were present during the event.
An exhibition football match was played during the event under 'Mission 11', an initiative which aims to take the beautiful game to at least 11 millions young boys and girls in the country.
The logo and the mascot -- a lion cub called 'Gabru', was also unveiled during the event, while Sukhwinder Singh performed the tournament anthem in his unique voice.
Kapil Dev, who is the brand ambassador of the tournament, said: "I salute the initiative, it is a big responsibility. I think it is time we take more interest in sports. I have played cricket but sports is not just cricket. We can only play when there will be playgrounds.
"I thank the BCCI for taking the game to the four corners of the country. Cricket is not an easy sports but still people play but football is a sport all can play but still don't. I hope this tournament will create more players for India."
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
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