Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
Sunil Chhetri

FIFA Under-17 World Cup is scheduled to start from 6th October 2017 until 28th October 2017. This year, India has got the privilege to host this tournament. Indian football team skipper, Sunil Chhetri is very excited about India hosting the tournament and feels that it is a huge opportunity for the country. He also hopes that the youngsters perform well and consider this as a start to their journey.

Chhetri said,”I was very excited to hear that we’re hosting (FIFA U-17 World Cup) and the excitement hasn’t died yet. I just hope that we play very well in terms of the way we’re going to play and also as a host, which is very important.”

The skipper expressed his feelings saying, “This is massive, it cannot get bigger than this for us as a footballing nation. I’m happy not only for the players who are going to play but for the nation. Like I said it’s a dream and it’s getting fulfilled.”

Chhetri also said that this tournament should be taken as the starting point for the development of football in India.”I hope we don’t treat this tournament as something we have achieved, like ‘let’s play in this tournament and then it’s finished’; that will be the worst case scenario. We should understand that getting this tournament and playing in it is good but it’s just the starting point. This is a huge opportunity and we should build on it,” he said.

The 32-year-old praised the players of India U-17 World Cup team and said that they should not take any pressure and only look to give their best.

Praising the young footballers who are about to take part in the upcoming tournament, he said, “The U-17 in great hands, they are all very good players. I just want to tell the boys to relax. The only thing that should be on their minds is, let’s train really well and give their best, that really helps. The moment you start thinking about the draw or who you’re going to be playing and you’re playing at home and there will be pressure, that doesn’t help. The only thing they should be thinking of is let’s put our best foot forward and give everything for the country.”

By Naman