FIFA President Gianni Infantino has lavished praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his passion for the game and his connection with the youth. The praise came after Prime Minister Modi spent time playing football with children in Gangtok during his visit to Sikkim. Infantino shared a photo of the Prime Minister playing football with children on his official social media handle, captioning it, “It’s wonderful to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi playing our beautiful game. Football truly connects the world.” The FIFA chief’s remarks are not only an honor for the Prime Minister, but also underscore the growing influence of Indian sports internationally and India’s active participation in global sports forums.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present at the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok on Tuesday during his two-day visit to Sikkim, where he attended the closing ceremony of the state’s 50th anniversary. During the visit, he participated in an informal football session with local youth players. The Prime Minister described the experience as “energizing” and said that the passion for sports among the youth of the Northeast is inspiring for the entire country. Infantino, who has long considered India a “sleeping giant” in the field of football, has repeatedly stated that Prime Minister Modi’s vision for increasing the popularity and potential of football in India is highly commendable. This diplomatic and sporting relationship between FIFA and India is also seen as crucial for strengthening the country’s football infrastructure in the future.
During this visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth over ₹4,000 crore, not just for sports, but for the development of Sikkim. This includes six new BCCI indoor cricket academies for Northeast India, which will nurture sporting talent in the region. This initiative by the Prime Minister sends a message that the government views sports not merely as a form of entertainment, but as a medium for nation-building and the all-round development of youth. The photo shared by the FIFA President is now rapidly going viral on social media, and has been praised by many sports luminaries. This development will not only enthuse Indian football fans but also provide a new impetus to India’s aspirations to host major FIFA tournaments in the future.
