Tribune News Network
Doha
Indian Sports Centre (ISC), which functions under the aegis of the Embassy of India in Qatar, hosted a felicitation dinner at Calicut Notebook Restaurant for the Indian team participating in the Street Child World Cup.
Angeline Premalatha, Counsellor (Political & Commerce), Embassy of India, was the chief guest. ISC President Dr. Mohan Thomas, General Secretary T.S. Sreenivas, Managing Committee Member Varkey Boban, Principal of Birla Public School Harish Sanduja, PixStory CEO Appu Esthose Suresh, ICC President P.N. Baburajan and ICBF President Vinod Nair were among the dignitaries present. The players and the officials were given a small token of appreciation by the hosts.
While addressing the teams, Angelina Premalatha said she was pleased to see that the opportunities are being presented to exceptionally talented and capable children. "Such children are being brought out is really a matter of great appreciation,” she said, while also expressing her pride that the girls are from her hometown.
Girls’ team captain Sandhya said she was thankful for the encouragement and recognition provided by ISC. "It is an immense pleasure getting such a level of appreciation and support for the team,” she said.
It was a great and overwhelming opportunity to visit the country that is going to host the World Cup, the boys’ team captain said.
"We are lucky for this rare chance to see in reality how the country is preparing for the World Cup,” he added.
Dr. Mohan Thomas, ISC president, while addressing the team, said "it doesn’t matter whether they win or lose, it’s a privilege for the whole Indian community that we got an opportunity to felicitate our home country teams. They are the future promises of Indian football.”