Sachin, Sunil treat for juniors

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For the Coca-Cola Cup national sub junior football tournament finalists in Mumbai, it was a double treat. The teams emerged as the best at the Under-15 level in the country and had a memorable moment to meet the country’s greatest sporting icons — Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Chhetri.

“It was a dream come true for us. Playing here in the final on the artificial turf and to get prizes from Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Chhetri is amazing. We interacted with them and clicked photographs which we will cherish forever. It was our first meeting with both of them and it will motivate us to follow in their footsteps,” said Banman Roy, a member of the victorious Meghalaya team who piped Odisha 1-0 in the final at the Father Agnels grounds in Vashi on Tuesday.
Tendulkar, who came to the city on Monday evening after being part of the IPL-6 winning Mumbai Indians team in Kolkata, told the youngsters to play with passion.
“You should love your game, be passionate about it and that’s the only way you will improve. I hope you all work hard and seize the opportunity to help India to qualify for the 2022 World Cup,” said the 40-year-old, who bid adieu to IPL on Sunday.
Chhetri too had words of encouragement for the youngsters.
“I wasn’t as good as you at your age. You are skilful and have the platform. Sky is the limit for you if you take inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ronald L. Nonglait struck the winning goal in the first half for Meghalaya. Nonglait unleashed a powerful right footer from an acute angle to find the extreme corner of the net.
Both the teams had their chances in the second half, but failed to find the finishing touch. The Frolicson Dkhar-led Meghalaya were rewarded for their attacking style of play, which helped them hold on to their lead.
Over 41,000 youngsters from 2,610 schools across 86 cities in the country competed at the district, state and zonal levels to qualify for the national finals in the last few months.
In all, 40 players will be shortlisted for the national Under-16 football squad by the All India Football Federation technical committee.
AIFF technical director Rob Baan was also present on the occasion.