Event will help football in India: Valderrama
COLOMBIAN football legend Carlos Valderrama said that hosting the Fifa U-17 World Cup would help the sport grow in India.
“Hosting this tournament will help football in the country. It’s a very good start,” Valderrama said during the promotion of Argentinian legend Diego Maradona’s “Match for Unity” involving former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, scheduled for October 2.
The former Colombian skipper, who has represented his country in three World Cups (1990, 1994 and 1998) was attending a football workshop.
Asked about Colombia’s U-17 team, which will take part in the World Cup starting in India from October 6, Valderrama said: “Colombia has a good team. They will come to India and see the beautiful country with a lot of passion for football.”
Valderrama advised budding footballers to enjoy the game and not force anything on them.
“Kids should enjoy playing football. They should not force anything on them. It should come to them naturally,” he said.
On Friday Valderrama, three-time South American footballer of the year, visited city soccer giants Mohun Bagan. He also went to the Eden Gardens where he exchanged pleasantries with Ganguly. – IANS