LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan presents footballs to MPs

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi :Members of Parliament cutting across party lines here participated with enthusiasm in the Mass Awareness Programme for promoting sports culture in the country particularly the game of football. The occasion was presentation of footballs to Members of both Houses of Parliament by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan at a function on March 29, 2017. The function was organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to promote Mission XI Million Programme for taking football across India in the run up to FIFA U-17 Football World Cup to be hosted in October this year.

Speaking on the occasion, Youth Affairs and Sports minister Vijay Goel said the FIFA U-17 World Cup is being organised in partnership with All India Football Federation (AIFF) to create football culture. Mission 11 Million aims to take football to 11 million children across India through 15,000 schools and mass contact programmes. He said various activities are being organised across all states to promote and popularise the three phase programme by organising workshops and festivals etc. He said the key idea of Mission XI Million is that every child should have the opportunity to play the world’s most popular sport, according to a PIB release.

Referring to the PM Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat on March 26, 2017, the Sports Minister said our Prime Minister has described the FIFA under 17 World Cup as a great opportunity for youth that can start a revolution in sports throughout the country. Goel urged the Members of Parliament to help in spreading the message by way of organising football tournaments at villages, block and district level. He said Sports Authority of India can assist MPs in organising a programme if a SAI centre exists in their constituency. He said MPs can help in creation of Mini Clubs for local level games and competitions and by utilizing their MPLAD fund for New Sporting Hubs and festivals.