Prime minister Narendra Modi has assured former captain Bhaichung Bhutia of unflinching support to football even after the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
With less than 100 days left for the country's first-ever FIFA tournament, Bhutia thanked Modi for his "continuous support to Indian football".
"The Honourable prime minister's passion for sports is really admirable," Bhutia said a day after Modi met Indian sporting legends during the inauguration of a stadium in Ahmedabad.
"The prime minister has been possibly the biggest supporter of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. He has been standing beside Indian football all throughout and it's such an inspiration for the footballing fraternity,? Bhutia, the first Indian footballer to play over 100 international matches, stated.
"I thanked him for promoting Indian football. The prime minister assured me of his continued support for the U-17 World Cup, adding that he will continue supporting football even after the World Cup ends," Bhutia added.
Modi also made a special mention of the Indian football legend bringing laurels to the country.
Modi had in the past, in his address to the nation, acknowledged the rising popularity of football in India and has called for the creation of right atmosphere for its development.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 is slated to kick off on October 6, with the official draw scheduled to take place in Mumbai on July 7.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)