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Dream chance for Indian kids to dribble with Zidane
Published on Wed, Jul 02, 2008 at 10:34 in 
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FOOTBALL FILLIP: Children under 12 years of age will compete in the tournament.
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New Delhi: For the first time, India has been included in the league of 40 countries that will play the Nations Cup, meant for children under 12 years. The winner of the national leg will not only play in the world finals in Paris, but also get a dream chance of meeting Zinedine Zidane.
This could just be the opportunity football-crazy kids in India had been waiting for. Twelve teams from across the country will fight it out at the Ambedkar Stadium later this month for a chance to meet one of the greatest ever players in the world.
"When we see the very emotional pictures of the final in Paris, when Zinedine Zidane is there and the best football players from all over the world will be playing against each other. For Indian kids being able to play with their counterparts from Brazil, Germany, France, in many other countries, will really give a boost to the kids that qualify," explains Jochen Ebert, MD, Danone Nations Cup.
India has been included in the league of 40 countries that will play the tournament meant for children under 12 years for the first time.
"We wish this tournament continues for a very long time, and that it happens every year. Without development in the grassroots level, Indian football cannot go forward. This is a very good beginning and we are beginning with the exact age group to groom footballing talent," says Syed Nasir Ali, member of the Executive Committee of the All India Football Federation.
Each match will last 15 minutes and will be played on one half of a regular football field, with each team allowed to field only nine players.
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