Two 12-year-old football enthusiasts -- Surya Varikuti and Rudresh Gaudnour -- have been selected as India's representatives at the global Football For Friendship (F4F) social programme in Russia.
This year, the F4F programme has expanded to 211 countries and regions. This is the second time that India will participate in the programme.
Surya will join young footballers from around the world in Moscow in June.
The children will be part of the 32 International Teams of Friendship and play against each other in the Gazprom Football For Friendship International Championship. The friendly tournament aims at bringing together children from around the world and celebrate the unifying spirit of football.
Rudresh will act as the young journalist and report on all the local and global activities of the F4F programme as part of the International Children's Press Center.
He will also spread awareness on the Nine Values (friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour) of the F4F programme.
Surya and Rudresh will also participate in the Football for Friendship International Children's Forum in Russia, where the youngsters will get a chance to meet their peers from other countries, share their experiences, and discuss with famous footballers and journalists on how to promote key values of the F4F programme around the world.
The selection of the young footballer was conducted by (AIFF), picking the best defender, fitting the criteria, from a team that conceded the least number of goals.
Surya, who has participated in various football tournaments across the country such as the National U13 Youth League, believes it is important to promote friendship, equality and peace to brighten the world.
Speaking on the selection of the young footballer, Kishore Taid, AIFF's Chief Operating Officer said, "The selection of the young footballer is an extension of our support to this unique global initiative.
"The programme is a wonderful opportunity for kids to build ties of friendship among children from around the world and foster peace and harmony through the beautiful game of football.
Neha Sahu, co-founder, Just For Kicks, said, "We are thrilled to have one of our kids selected to represent India at F4F for the second year in a row. This time it's even more significant and special for Just For Kicks since our budding 12-year-old footballer, Rudresh is going as a young journalist to Russia.
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