Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade inaugurated the Indian Football League at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur. Stressing the importance of sports for physical and mental well-being, he commended initiatives like Khelo India for promoting sports culture nationwide.
Bagade extended his best wishes to the players and urged them to excel with dedication. He highlighted football’s global popularity, tracing its history back over two thousand years. The Governor mentioned that modern football originated in England in the 19th century, with FIFA being established in 1904 in Paris.
Football, according to Bagade, has evolved into a global phenomenon since its early days. He noted the official inclusion of women’s football as a competitive event in the 1996 Atlanta Games. Reflecting on the development of football in India, Bagade acknowledged the significant contributions of women’s football, particularly from West Bengal.
Paying tribute to Nagendra Prasad, a pioneer of Indian football, Bagade recognized his role in establishing football clubs in Kolkata and Bengal. Emphasizing the benefits of sports for youth, the Governor encouraged active participation to enhance physical fitness and intellectual abilities. He also highlighted the Government of India’s efforts in promoting sports development through initiatives like Khelo India.
After the inauguration, Governor Bagade attended a football match to support the event.
