New Delhi, July 11, 2025 – The Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi hosted a vibrant send-off ceremony for 2 inspiring soccer groups: the Haryana India U-15 Women’ Group and the Particular Olympics Bharat Boys’ Group
These proficient younger athletes are gearing as much as signify India on the prestigious Gothia Cup 2025 and the Gothia Particular Olympics Trophy in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The Gothia Cup 2025 marks a major milestone, celebrating its 50th version. This iconic match brings collectively over 1900 groups from greater than 70 international locations, making it the world’s largest and most inclusive youth soccer match. Past the sport, the Gothia Cup is a robust platform for international unity, cultural alternate, and youth empowerment by soccer.
On the coronary heart of this motion is SKF’s ‘Meet the World’ initiative, which is reworking the soccer panorama throughout continents. By offering underrepresented youth with alternatives to compete, join, and develop on a world stage, SKF helps younger athletes dream and create a world legacy of entry, equality, and inclusion in sports activities.
Gracing the occasion have been distinguished dignitaries together with H.E. Mr. Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden to India; Dr. Gaurav Gautam, Minister of State (Unbiased Cost) for Sports activities & Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship within the Authorities of Haryana, Dr. Mallika Nadda, President of Particular Olympics Bharat & Chairperson, Particular Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council, Kalyan Chubey, President, All India Soccer Federation, Mr. Navneet Sehgal, Chairman, Prasar Bharti, Ms. Geeta Mandaviya, Chief Patron, Particular Olympics Gujarat, Dr. Amit Bhalla, Chief Patron, Haryana Soccer Affiliation & Vice-Chairman, Manav Rachna Academic Establishments; Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson & Managing Director, Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, Mr. Ranjan Kumar, Director, Authorized, Sustainability & Company Affairs, SKF India & Southeast Asia; together with senior representatives from ministries, sporting our bodies, and institutional companions.
Talking on the ceremony, Ambassador Jan Thesleff remarked, “The Gothia Cup is greater than only a soccer match, it’s a celebration of the unifying spirit of sports activities, constructing bridges between cultures. India’s participation highlights the rising position of sports activities in empowering youth, selling inclusion, and connecting communities throughout borders. We’re honored to welcome these proficient younger athletes to Sweden. Their ardour, dedication, and sportsmanship are really inspiring, they usually carry with them the hopes and goals of their nation.”
Dr. Gaurav Gautam, Honourable Minister from Haryana, shared: “There was a time when Haryana was identified for its gender imbalance. As we speak, these younger women are rewriting that story, with soccer boots, not phrases. To see our daughters from rural heartlands flying to Sweden collaborating in prestigious Gothia Cup is a second of immense delight for each Haryanvi. They don’t seem to be simply taking part in a recreation; they’re taking part in for each woman who dared to dream. Haryana stands behind them, with delight in our hearts and perception of their journey.”
“At Particular Olympics Bharat, we firmly consider that sports activities have the transformative energy to shift mindsets, break down limitations, and create lasting change. As we proudly ship off our unimaginable athletes to take part on the Gothia Cup, we’re reminded of the immense potential that lies inside every of them. They carry greater than only a jersey; they carry the hopes and goals of a nation, and the tales of their unwavering spirit and unrelenting ardour.”, Dr. Gaurav Gautam added.
“Our ‘Every One Attain One’ imaginative and prescient is greater than only a motto; it’s a dedication to making a society that embraces each baby, each capability, and each alternative. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the boldness and the sense of objective that sports activities deliver to the lives of those athletes with mental and developmental disabilities. We thank our companions particularly SKF Group, who’ve prolonged their assist. We’re proud to be part of their journey, and we look ahead to seeing them fly the tricolour excessive at Sweden” mentioned, Dr. Mallika Nadda, President, Particular Olympics Bharat & Chairperson, Particular Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council (APAC).
Dr. Amit Bhalla spoke of the bigger significance of this second: “That is greater than only a proud day for sport it’s a defining chapter in India’s story of transformation. Watching younger women from the agricultural heartlands of Haryana, and boys who’ve risen past capability challenges, now don the Indian jersey and put together to compete on a world stage, is each humbling and historic. It reaffirms our collective dedication to the imaginative and prescient of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Beti Khilao’, not simply as a slogan, however as a lived actuality. These particular athletes usually are not simply representing groups; they’re carrying the aspirations of a brand new India, one which believes in inclusion, dignity, and equal alternative. Greatness isn’t born from privilege, it’s formed by perseverance, by perception, and by giving younger individuals the fitting platform to thrive. As we speak, India’s daughters and sons are displaying the world what’s potential when goals are nurtured with belief, and expertise is met with objective.”
“Our purpose has at all times been to create entry, to assist the underserved, irrespective of the place they arrive from, to unlock their potential and to allow them discover place on the planet. Seeing these champions of change off to Gothia right now is a proud reminder of why we do what we do.” Dr. Amit Bhalla added.
We consider that sports activities have the ability to rework lives, break down limitations, and encourage greatness. We’re dedicated to empowering these younger athletes past this match, supporting their skilling and improvement, and serving to them obtain their full potential in life. We need to be part of their journey, not only a second in time.” mentioned, Mr. Ranjan Kumar, Director, Authorized, Sustainability, Company Affairs, SKF India and Southeast Asia.
Probably the most emotional moments of the occasion got here from the gamers themselves.
Ritika, a defender from the Haryana India, mentioned, “The place I come from, women don’t often play soccer, they watch from the aspect. As we speak, I’m travelling to a different nation to signify my very own, I’ll take a flight for the very first time, such alternatives don’t come knocking on daily basis, I’m grateful, and I’ll give my finest, I would like each woman watching to know: if I can do it, so are you able to.”
Yogesh, a returning Particular Olympics Bharat athlete who competed at Gothia 2024, shared, “Final yr, I performed my first match outdoors India at Gothia. I made mates from international locations I had by no means even heard of. I discovered how sturdy I may very well be. This yr, I’m going again with extra confidence and contribute to defending the title gained final yr for India. This match has given me a brand new perspective to life, a brand new objective, individuals I meet recognise me for my taking part in talents now.”
Earlier this yr, SKF India’s Meet the World Soccer Match was held in partnership with Particular Olympics Bharat, Haryana Soccer Affiliation with Manav Rachna Academic Establishments as Coaching Companion and Iwill as Psychological Wellness Companion bringing collectively groups from throughout India. By means of mentorship, coaching, and steadfast assist, SKF India together with its companions are giving wings to those that by no means imagined they might fly. These younger athletes usually are not simply taking part in a sport, they’re changing into ambassadors of hope, change, and chance for a lot of throughout India. Because the groups now depart for Sweden, they carry with them not solely soccer boots and kits, however the hopes and delight of a whole nation.
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