FIFA U-17 World Cup: Ex-Olympian sees hope in Kashmir valley youth

With the football lovers upbeat over India hosting its maiden FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2017, former Olympian and football great SS Hakeem today said he was hopeful that Valley youth would get selected to for the marquee event.

FIFA U-17 World Cup - Ex-Olympian sees hope in Kashmir valley youthHakeem, who was part of the Indian team that participated in 1960 Rome Olympics, also said “much more football” was being played in Kashmir than in other parts of the country.

“There is much more football in Kashmir than anywhere else in the country. I have high hopes that selectors will find some talented youth during trials which will make it to camps in New Delhi, where they will be trained. Kashmir has got talent in abundance and there is every chance that the selectors will find enough talent here,” said Hakeem, who is also Chief Project Director, Sports Authority of India (SAI).

The former footballer was speaking at the launch of SAI’s national scouting project here.

The project was launched in collaboration with the J&K Football Association to identify young footballers for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Hakeem said since India was hosting the international tournament for the first time, they wanted that the best players should represent the country.

He said during the three-day selection trials, 40 players from the state will be selected to undergo training in New Delhi, Kolkatta and other football academies.

Hakeem said the SAI and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) were jointly conducting trials for the mega event.

Even though Hakeem admitted that India had not been able to make mark in the world football, he said a lot of youth had started taking interest in the game.

He further said the youth were looking beyond cricket, but regretted that not many domestic football tournaments were being played in India for the development of the sport.

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