Brooklyn-based physician, Dr. Raj Bhayani, had heard Prime Minister Narendra Modi talk about making soccer a popular game in India, and the country looking to host FIFA world cup in 2017.
Taking a cue from Modi’s ‘Man Ki Baat’ in March this year, Bhayani talked to his friends and acquaintances in India and in the U.S. that eventually led to the birth of the idea “football for nation” an effort to further popularize the game already played in many parts of India and to excite public interest in the game before 2017.
On July 24, Bhayani and his team members, including actress Priyanka Kothari, and Bhasker Prakash of Adhunik Art Gallery of New Delhi, organized a charity soccer match in New Delhi where members of Parliament played against Bollywood film stars. It was played at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Among those present included Vijay Goel, minister for youth affairs and sports who was the chief guest, and Maneka Gandhi, cabinet minister for women and child development who was the guest of honor. Bhayani said Yoga master Baba Ramdev agreed to be brand ambassador for the event.
Captain of the parliamentarians’ team that included Manoj Tiwari M.P. was Babul Supriyo, minister of state for heavy industries, while the Bollywood team was led by Abhishek Bachchan along with Ranbir Kapoor. The all-star team won the match. Kapoor got the trophy given by Bhayani.
Bhayani said that apart from popularizing soccer, the aim of the match was to increase awareness about Modi’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Abhiyan’ and ‘Swacch Bharat Swasth Bharat Abhiyan’. The proceeds from the match will be donated for these two programs, according to a press release by Bhayani.
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