Inaugural BRICS Cup to take place in India in 2016

(L-R) Joao Gilberto Vaz, Prashant Agarwal, DDFC President, H.E. Tovar da Silva Nunes, Ambassador of Brazil in India and Roberto Carlos

Confirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement from the last BRICS summit held in Ufa, Russia, ASSOCHAM announced today that the first edition of the Under 17 BRICS Cup shall take place in India next year. With a star-studded lineup involving a team each from the five member nations of BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – the tournament will be held simultaneously with the 8th summit of the international conglomerate here in Delhi.

Talking to the media at the launch, the Brazilian ambassador to India, Tovar Da Silva Nunes said, “We are extremely delighted to bring the BRICS Cup to India. We, in Brazil, take great pride in playing and promoting the beautiful game and thus it’s an honour to extend our involvement with this event.

“As you know, India is also hosting the Under 17 World Cup in two years’ time. And in our capacity, we would like to ensure that they get all the assistance they need from us.”

The launch also saw NIVIA being unveiled as the official ball sponsors of the event. Adding about their involvement, Nunes asserted on ‘Make in India’, “We wanted an Indian company to be at the helm and NIVIA was an automatic choice; they are a fledgling corporate and I am sure both of us would benefit massively with this association.”

BRICS partnership with Delhi Dynamos also announced

The organising committee also announced a partnership with Delhi’s ISL franchise, the Dynamos. The team’s marquee player-manager Roberto Carlos was present as the agreement was signed by President Prashant Agarwal with ASSOCHAM.

Elaborating on the partnership, Agarwal said, “We at Delhi Dynamos FC have always worked towards the development of the game at the grassroots level. The partnership with BRICS Football Cup will not only promote better football interaction among BRICS youths but will also bring together people from different cultures.

“The tournament will provide a huge platform to young athletes and encourage them to showcase their talent.”

Visibly overjoyed with the deal which involves the Dynamos participating as the sixth team in the tourney, he exuded, “We are extremely excited that our youth team is going to play in this; given that the BRICS Football Cup has now kicked off with the Under 17 age group.

“Should the event include a senior tournament in the future, our club will be proud to represent India at that level as well.”