The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is upon us with the hosts India taking on the United States at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. It is a dream come true for millions of football fans in India as they will now get a taste of World Cup action. While the expectations for the Blue Tigresses in this edition are low, the expectations for Indian Football are sky high.
This is the first time India is hosting a Women’s World Cup and it is their first appearance in the competition having qualified by default. With 16 teams participating from across the World, this should be a tournament that will be closely followed. India are placed in Group A with USA, Brazil, and Morocco. This seems to be a tough group for the hosts (as would any other group), but the Indians should look to give their best and hope to show their determination and tenacity.
Over the next 20 days, we will be hearing stories coming up about many of the incredible young women who will be getting their first experience of the world cup. We will hear stories of overcoming adversity, beating the odds, determination, skills, and most importantly – The Indian Football Dream.
What is the Indian Football Dream you might ask? It means different things for different people. For some, it means India participating in the senior world cup. For others, it means Indian clubs doing well in international tournaments. But for myself and many others like me, the Indian Football Dream refers to India becoming the top footballing nation in terms of Indian, Asian, and FIFA tournaments. I want clubs from the ISL lifting the AFC Champions League and competing for the FIFA Club World Cup. I want India to win the AFC Asian Cup and participate in the FIFA World Cup. I want Indian football to reach a level where audiences across the world are closely following what India is doing.
This dream is not something which can be achieved overnight. It will take years, possibly decades before this can become reality. The grassroots football in India is just picking up and the interest among fans is steadily rising. The emergence of the ISL and icons like Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chettri, Gurpreet Sandhu, and many others has added much needed glamour to the game. But more needs to be done. The time has come for India to shift focus onto sustainability and growth of the game.
After the recent fiasco of AIFF being banned by FIFA and the mismanagement Indian football has faced players, coaches, and fans are desperately looking for a fresh start. The Indian dream has been spluttering along for a long time now. To achieve its aspirations, Indian football needs to kickstart the dream and accelerate like it has never done before. The hope for 1.4 billion people is that the U-17 World Cup provides us with something to cheer and acts as a launch pad for Indian Football.
For now, setting all that aside, it is time to cheer for the Indian Tigresses! Come on Team India!
Interesting read. Good research is manifest. Enriching article. Keep it up.
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Good invigorating article. It sets the tempo for our ambition. Ambition is the cradle of success. Keep energizing us
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Very articulate. Very well written article..
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Very Interesting and innovative article.
Please keep energized us.
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Really a informative and encouraging article for football promotion and opportunity for indian sports relent.
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Nice article.
Well written..
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Well articulated. very nice article
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Nice Article,
Very Well written, show the interest and passon of game.
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A rare opportunity for the country to showcase its culture, ability and passion for the game. Well presented
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Very good article. Good initiative! Please continue the efforts! Football sport requires such type of vivid writers!
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Rightly put… Yet another chance to see India shine on the world stage…Time to support our young & talented team in this endeavor.
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Very Nice Article.Upon going through the Article, it exhibits the passion towards the Game.
Keep It Up !!!
ALL THE BEST !!!
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Wow ,Nice article
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Nice Article
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Good one
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Slowly but surely we are progressing from a sports loving to a sports playing nation and events such as these shall further fuel this momentum, The love & passion for the game clearly reflects in the author’s thoughts.
Aspirational yet pragmatic.
Thank you. There is still a long way to go but I believe Indians showed up in numbers to support the young players
An excellent write up. Let us hope that Team India will shine.
Thank you. This tournament is about gaining experience and showing us where we stand
Great opportunity for the country to showcase its culture, ability and passion for football ⚽. Well said
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Good to know that India is the host which gives chance to us to qualify to play in FIFA U-17 WC.. As a nation , we don’t find craze for football and we need more visibility and platform to promote the game ! Wins and apperances in big tournaments/ leagues brings attention & support or support & efforts brings Win. Pl keep posting as it’s hardly covered by mainstream media ! Game needs it’s due space to create environment in the country where Sport is synonymous to Cricket!
Thank you. Football is still a highly popular sport in india..just that indians prefer following european leagues. Hopefully we start following indian football more
Excellent write up.. very lucid . A treat for the game lovers
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Mission to look up to..
Nice Article
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Nice read, well written
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Very informative article👏
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Very interesting article. A historic moment for Indian Sports. My heart is filled with pride. ‘Jai ho’
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Excellent article giving the holistic picture of Indian Football status. Let’s cheer our Indian Tigresses!
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Interesting article.
Lovee it .
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