Jaime Yarza, Director Tournaments, FIFA and Sunando Dhar, Acting General Secretary, All India Football Federation called on Anurag Thakur, Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, also Minister of Information and Broadcasting earlier today on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.
Mr. Yarza is currently on an inspection visit to assess the preparations for the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup – India which is to be held from October 11-30, 2022 across Bhubaneswar, Navi Mumbai and Goa.
“It was a very fruitful visit, and Shri Anurag-ji assured us that the Government of India will go out of the way to provide all required support for the tournament to be an overwhelming success,” Mr. Dhar said. “We intend to carry forward together the legacy of the FIFA U17 World Cup held in 2017, and we are immensely grateful to the Government of India and FIFA for their support and guidance,” Mr. Dhar averred.
The delegation also briefed the honourable minister about FIFA’s new initiative ‘Football for Schools’, a programme where football meets education inspiring children to learn life skills through fun football sessions.
Shri Anurag-ji proposed to simultaneously incorporate the E-Pathshala concept into it — an athlete coaching and education programme conceptualised by the Sports Authority of India along with the All India Football Federation, to take football to the masses on the occasion of Amrit Mahotsav.
The Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.
Meanwhile, the launch of tickets for the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup – India will kick-off on August 5 wherein Shri Anurag-ji has been invited to be the chief guest. The day will also see football legends from the country being involved in an exhibition football match.