We grew up listening to Ravi Shastri & Harsha Bhogle’s commentary.

We spent our childhood

imitating Sachin Tendulkar’s defensive shots. Cricket is not just a sport, it has become our religion. It
is quite disheartening though to see, that in a country with second highest population, we have
mostly managed to do wonders in one sport.

Now, the nation strives to make sure all sportsmen and sportswomen get a platform to showcase
their skills and bring laurels to the nation. ​FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017, which is being held in India
from 6th October 2017 to 28th October 2017, marks the beginning of a new era as it is the first
time India is hosting a FIFA Tournament and, also first time participating in one.

The Indian team has made each and everyone of us proud with their performance in the tournament.
Their determination and dedication to make the spectators beam with pride could be easily seen on
the football pitch. The team has made the best use of their 90 minutes, and has left the opponent
awestruck.

It is indeed a great feat for a country like ours, which is widely regarded as a Cricket-dominant
nation. Football is loved & cherished by Indians but always has curtailed amount of
opportunities, compared to Cricket. With this gleaming opportunity, a prodigious change has
been observed where the stadiums are jam packed and players are getting the recognition they
deserve. ​They might not have won the trophy, but they have won hearts.

We have always adored Messi and Ronaldo, worn their jerseys with pride. We try to score a goal like
them, celebrate victory like they do. If our country continues to bring out hidden diamonds like PV
Sindhu into limelight, it won’t be long before we have a Messi or a Ronaldo from our very own soil.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup is being held in India from 6th October 2017 - 28th October 2017,
after being awarded the hosting rights in 2013. The tournament marks the first time India have
hosted a FIFA Tournament and also, the first time they have participated in it.
It is indeed a great feat for a country where Cricket has been the lifeline for a long time. Football
has always been loved and cherished by Indians but it has always curtailed behind the
grandeur of Cricket. With this golden opportunity, a sea change has been witnessed where the
stadiums are jam packed and players are getting recognition.

The matches are being played in ​6 stadiums​ in six host cities around the country, with the final
taking place at the ​Salt Lake Stadium​ in ​Kolkata​, ​West Bengal​. Talking about the tournament, 23
teams, besides the host India, managed to qualify for the tournament via participating in their various
continental under-17 tournaments. This event gives a great platform to budding footballers and
sports enthusiasts to invest their careers and businesses in Football in India.

On one side, football will be in the limelight and added to that, the sport is getting funds to revamp
their infrastructure completely. Latest technology and equipments have been used in the World Cup
which is a great achievement for the sport in India.

Unfortunately, our team didn’t qualify the first round but they made us proud by putting a good show
even after not being the ‘preferred sport’ in the country. I can safely say that they might not have
won the trophy, but they have won over our hearts and I sincerely hope for better and better
performances in the future. This was just the beginning, there is a whole lot to see.