The first of its kind Indoor Futsal World Cup organised by Youth Football International in association with LEH LEH Sports on May 24 at the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi concluded amidst huge cheer and excitement as all the participating teams went back with at least a smile, having enjoyed the play thoroughly.

The tournament kicked-off at 8am with teams in the Under-11 and the U-13 categories battling hard to claim the crown and as it panned, Brazil defeated Germany in the U-11 final by 3-1, while Japan lifted the U-13 Cup, beating Germany in an exciting final which ended 4-3 in the favour of the Asian outfit.

The winners were rewarded with Cups and medals by none other than former India cricket star Ajay Jadeja along with César A. V. Bonamigo, Counsellor & Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Brazil in New Delhi.

Ajay Jadeja was soon seen in the ‘change the game’ moment as he decided to kick it around in a friendly game before he bid goodbye to the guests with a beautiful message about sports and its teachings.

Ajay Jadeja was vocal of the fantastic initiative and claimed the venue to be a really good one for playing. He was also adamant on something similar to happen all around more frequently, especially given the heat.

He was congratulatory to the two bodies for organising it and wanted his son to be a part of a team as well next time around, given his love for football which will also see him fly with his son to Brazil to catch a few games at the World Cup.

The U-15 and the open category then kicked off post lunch where the battle was even more intriguing. The German outfit finally managed to lift the Cup in the U-15 category after disappointments in the U-11 and U-13 category, while Japan won the open category to help the Asian outfit with their second trophy in the four categories.

A team of slum and underprivileged kids – My Angels Academy were also seen participating in the U-13 and the U-15 category, where they went on to win the Plate competition while the U-11 Plate went to Ghana. The NGO Kutumb Foundation was also present to represent India in the U-13 category and fared well.

Indian Women’s football player Tanvie Hans who has represented Tottenham Hotspurs Women’s Team was also seen at the tournament playing in the open category for Brazil, represented by the YFI coaches and staff not only brightening the scene with her skills, but inspiring the kids present in the tournament.

The tournament saw 30 teams participating over 12 hours of duration in what was a fun-filled environment. The parents and the kids were all praises for the tournament, which led the two parties organising it into an announcement of a similar tournament sometime in August, close to Indian Independence Day.