All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Friday arranged a very special meeting; between the members of the Indian squad for the U-17 World Cup and their parents and families.
The meeting took place at the Lalit Hotel in New Delhi where the team is staying just hours before India's debut in the premier FIFA tournament.
According to the witnesses, it was an emotional meeting since most players belong to humble backgrounds and their parents have struggled to make ends meet.
FIFA U-17 World Cup
"The AIFF gave us time to meet the players at team hotel today. My parents were happy and got emotional while meeting Amarjit. We have not met him for a long time," India captain Amarjit Singh's elder brother Umakanta, who came with his parents and his sister, told PTI. "Parents of almost all the players were there, except for one or two," added Umakanta. The team members had, on Sunday, said the presence of their families during the matches will motivate them to perform better. India takes on the USA in their first match which will be played on Friday evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. India is hosting their first ever FIFA tournament and is clubbed in Group A alongside Colombia, Ghana, and the USA.