India's record goal scorer Sunil Chhetri hopes that the country will build on the massive popularity generated by the FIFA U-17 World Cup. India hosted a major sporting event for the first time and which received many laurels from the officials and other nations. Despite Team India being knocked out on the group matches, the U-17 World Cup attracted a crowd that broke the record attendance that was set by China last in 1985.
Chhetri feels that such enthusiasm can help the nation boost their confidence even more while playing in the upcoming tournaments.
"Massive, the kind of popularity, the kind of interest generated (about football) by the World Cup is massive, I hope we build on it. It is one thing to have a tournament and more important thing to build on it, so I just hope as a nation we build on it," he told reporters on sidelines of the Indian Sports Honours.
India successfully hosted the FIFA U17 World Cup last month, with games played at six cities and Kolkata hosting the final. England emerged victorious in the tournament.
The 33-year-old football player also said that the goal scored by India U-17 player, Jeakson Singh, was a good one. Jeakson scripted history for India as he headed the nations first ever world cup goal against Columbia in the group matches.
(With PTI Inputs)
