Overview
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined children for a casual football kickaround in Gangtok on Tuesday, sharing video and photos on X.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino reposted the images on Wednesday and wrote that “football truly unites the world.”
- AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said the moment will draw more children to the game and pointed to Khelo India as a driver of support for young athletes.
- Seventeen Sikkim players who took part described the meeting as warm and unforgettable, with some saying the experience boosted their confidence.
- Football has deep roots across the northeast, often rivaling cricket in popularity, which makes the Sikkim setting especially meaningful for local fans and players.