New Delhi Nov 10 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Indian squad that took part in the FIFA U-17 World Cup here on Friday and urged them to win greater laurels for the country in future.
"Consider this U-17 World Cup as just a preparation for the future. I hope you stick together as a team and in 5-7 years time represent the country with great laurels " Modi said.
"I personally requested for this meeting as I saw some spark in all of you. Based on your performance people have started knowing you. So there is a huge responsibility on your shoulders " he added.
The U-17 squad became the first Indian team to take part in a football World Cup in any age group when the country hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup from October 6-28.
However they did not enjoy a successful campaign losing all three of their Group A matches to the US Ghana and Colombia.
But Jeakson Singh became the first Indian to score in a World Cup at any level when he headed in the only goal of the campaign against Colombia.
Modi also urged people to make sports a part of their daily routine.
"There is no life without sports. Football is a very intense game. Hope you can inspire people to inculcate sports as part of their daily lives " he told the footballers.
The Prime Minister said Jeakson s goal against Colombia was the "biggest reason for all of us to celebrate".
--IANS
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