Paraguay calling: India set to make maiden appearance in U-17 Futsal World Cup

Mumbai: India are set to make their maiden appearance in the Under-17 Futsal World Cup next month, after being invited by the sport’s governing body, the Association Mundial de Futsal (AMF), as a wild card to take part in the event. The competition, among futsal’s biggest global events, is to be held from 11-20 July in Paraguay, with India one among a total of 12 competing countries, a media release said on Monday. India have been drawn in Zone ‘A’ which pits them against the host nation Paraguay, Catalonia and Kazakhstan. Colombia, Belgium, Brazil and Australia make up Zone ‘B’; whereas Argentina, Uruguay, Morocco and Curazo complete the line-up in Zone ‘C’. [caption id=“attachment_2832804” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational photo. Getty Images[/caption] The U-17 Futsal nationals, organised by the Futsal Association of India (FAI) which is the AMF-accredited governing body for futsal in the country, are to take place in Haryana in from Tuesday. The tournament, in which 16 states would be taking part, would serve as the selection process to pick players to represent India at the World Cup. Ahead of the team’s trip to Paraguay, FAI is to appoint an international coach for FAI-India team and on-board sponsors. The final decision is to be taken during the FAI-AGM which will be held on the sidelines of the National Championship in Haryana, the release said. The FAI-India team training camp is to be held here from 23 June to July 5, the release added.