Date:11/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/11/stories/2008071156671800.htm

Sport - Football

Bharti to support under-16 team

NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Thursday signed an agreement with leading telecom company Bharti Enterprises for support to the National under-16 team.

The agreement, valid for one year, will help the team prepare for the Asian Football Championship to be held in Uzbekistan in October. This is the first time a National youth team has got corporate support.

On the agreement, the AIFF President, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, said, “The current under-16 team is a promising lot and has performed exceptionally well. This will provide a lot of encouragement to the team.”

The chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Sunil Mittal, said: “Developing a strong youth programme is one of the top priorities of our partnership with the AIFF to create a powerful football culture in India.” — Sports Reporter