Shri A.C. Moideen, Hon’ble Minister for Sports,
Shri I.M. Vijayan, Former Captain of Indian Football Team,
Shri Shailendra Kumar, S.D.G., CRPF,
Shri A. Srinivas, Deputy Inspector General of Police, CRPF
Commandant Sanjay Sharma,
Dear Officers and Personnel of Central Armed Police Forces,
Members of different Football Teams,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
I am very happy to address this very energetic and youthful gathering after presenting the trophies and medals to the winners of the Prime Minister's Under-19 0‘OORJA’ Football Tournament, which is part of a national level endeavor to brighten India's prospects in the game of football.
To begin with, let me congratulate the winning teams, the runners up and all the boys and girls who have won medals and prizes today. In fact, both victory and failure encourage us to do better next time. Playing well is what always matters.
As we all know, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, better known asF I F A, is planning to hold the Under-17 World Cup in October 2017. In this context, our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken special interest to give instructions to hold tournaments that will create a renewed interest in football and instill the spirit of competition among our youth to excel in the game. I therefore, congratulate all of you who have taken part in the tournament and played well.
It is true that in your age, you should give priority to your education, but 'all work and no play', would make anyone dull and unsuccessful in life. Perhaps, you would have read about Swamy Vivekananda who, in one of his lectures once said: “You would be nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of Bhagavath Gita”. What he meant to say was the young people would understand the Gita better with stronger muscles and a stronger body.
We all know that football engages you physically in such a way that it benefits your health, improves your speed and makes you more alert. You would have watched how Shri I.M. Vijayan, the pride of Indian football, moves on the playground. We know him as a living legend who scored one of the fastest international goals in just 12 seconds. Let me tell you that we are waiting to see some of you rising as football stars who would excel like him. I hope this tournament would be your launch pad to that success.
Since this tournament also aims to recruit promising players to the teams of the Central Armed Police Forces, I am certain that the response at the national level would be very encouraging. I also feel that we need to focus more on games like football and hockey rather than get tied to cricket alone.
Let me compliment Shri G.H.P. Raju, Inspector General of Police, Shri A. Srinivas, Deputy Inspector General of Police, CRPF and his team in Group Centre, Pallippuram for organizing the first phase of this tournament in the most orderly manner.
I once again wish all the young players a successful future both in football and in your chosen fields of activity.
Ellaavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
