BY SANDHYA DISSANAYAKE , ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
Gianni Infantino has praised the sporting enthusiasm of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a recent football session with children in Sikkim, highlighting the growing global recognition of India’s engagement with the sport.
The FIFA President shared an image on social media featuring PM Modi actively playing football with young children during his visit to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Infantino described the moment as a powerful reflection of football’s universal appeal, noting that the sport continues to unite people across cultures and nations.
The interaction took place on Tuesday, when PM Modi joined local children for a friendly game of football in Gangtok. The Prime Minister later shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “lovely morning” and an “energising session” with his young companions. In his post, he wrote, “Nothing like playing some football with my young friends in Sikkim on a lovely Gangtok morning!” In another message, he added, “Clearly, an energising football session with these youngsters!”
Infantino reshared the moment on Instagram, expressing admiration for the Prime Minister’s engagement with sport at the grassroots level. He wrote, “Great to see @narendramodi play our beautiful sport. Football truly unites the world.” His comments reflect FIFA’s continued emphasis on expanding football’s influence in regions where the sport is rapidly growing, including South Asia.
Football holds a particularly strong cultural presence in India’s northeastern states, where it is often considered as popular as, or even more popular than, cricket. States such as Sikkim, Mizoram, Manipur, and Meghalaya have long been known for their deep football traditions and passionate local participation.
This is not the first time the FIFA President has acknowledged PM Modi’s influence on the global sporting stage. The two leaders have met on several international platforms over the years, including the G20 Summit in Argentina in December 2018 and again in Kuwait in December 2024. During their earlier meeting in Argentina, Infantino presented PM Modi with a personalised football jersey bearing his name, symbolizing the growing connection between global football leadership and India’s sporting ambitions.
Reflecting on that moment, PM Modi had said, “Impossible to come to Argentina and not think about football. Argentinian players are tremendously popular in India. Today, received this jersey from @FIFAcom President Gianni Infantino. I thank him for the kind gesture.”
The latest interaction further strengthens the sporting diplomacy between FIFA and India, while also highlighting the increasing visibility of football in the country’s cultural and youth engagement landscape.