Wednesday 5 October 2016

First BRICS U – 17 Football Tournament kicked off in Goa

First ‘BRICS’ U-17 football tournament inaugurated by Union Minister of State (I/C) Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel today in Goa. Chief Minister of Goa Laxmikant Parsekar, Sports Minister of Haryana Anil Vij, Sports Minister of Gujrat, Rajendra Trivedi, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia, Sports Minister of Sikkim Ram Bahadur Subba, Sports Minister of Mizoram Zodintluanga were also present on the occasion. 

Inaugurating the tournament Vijay Goel said, it is an honour for India to host the inaugural BRICS U-17 Football Tournament. This tournament have transcended the traditional areas of interaction and opened a new vista in the field of sports. India is looking towards a growth of a sporting culture in the country. The initiative by Ministry of Sports such as ‘Khelo India’, ‘Mission 11 Million’ and the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup are all aimed at giving an impetus to this endeavour, shri Goel added. 

‘BRICS’ U-17 football tournament will definitely promote bonhomie amongst the participants and will create a rapport with the audience. This is best example of people to people contact, said Shri Goel. 

The captains of the football teams lit the torch, followed by an entertainment programme performed by local artists. 

The Government of India initiative the BRICS U – 17 Football Tournament will be played among the ‘BRICS’ countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Final of the tournament will played on 15th October, 2016 at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Fatorda. The tournament is free to all.