New Delhi May 15 (IANS) Former football World Cup champion Carlos Puyol on Monday handed over the first lot of tickets of the upcoming U-17 World Cup to the grand daughter-in-law of 1911 IFA Shield winning Mohun Bagan captain Shibdas Bhaduri.
Bhaduri had led the legendary Mohun Bagan team that became the first Indian team to beat a British team in the final of a major tournament when they got the better of East Yorkshire Regiment 2-1 in the 1911 IFA Shield.
Gouri Bhaduri the grand daughter-in-law of Bhaduri and the oldest surviving member of the family received the tickets from the former Spain star.
I was very curious to discover the country and its people. I gives me immense joy to confer this honour Puyol told the media after handing over the tickets to the 80-year-old.
Puyol was the star Central defender of the Spain team that defeated Holland 1-0 in the final of the 2010 World Cup.
I am every happy to be here in India. Its a great occasion. I hope to be here in India in September when the U-17 World Cup gets under way the former Barcelona star said.
Puyol was involved in a friendly match with local children and popular singer and Union Minister Babul Supriyo after the ceremony.
Sports Minister Vijay Goel who was also present on the occasion asserted that the U-17 World Cup will help to improve the popularity and the standard of the beautiful game in India.
Through the U-17 World Cup we are going to touch 15 000 schools and we are going to touch 11 million youth and students. Football is already a popular game in our country and we want to make it more popular Goel told IANS.
Goel who has been on a tour of the various venues of the U-17 World Cup around the country expressed satisfaction with the level of the preparedness.
I have visited Kolkata Kochi and Goa. I am happy with what I have seen. There were a few problems but those are being sorted and we will be ready in time he said.
--IANS
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World Cup winner Puyol honours Indian football icon (Lead)
