Jaipur, April 7: Rajasthan Governor Shri Haribhau Bagde on Tuesday inaugurated the ‘Indian Football League’, organised by Rajasthan United Football Club at the stadium in Vidyadhar Nagar, Jaipur.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that sports are essential for both a healthy body and a healthy mind. He described the efforts being made under the “Khelo India” initiative to promote sports in the country as highly significant.
Bagde extended his best wishes to the participating football players, encouraging them to deliver strong performances and lead their teams to victory. He noted that football is rapidly becoming the world’s most popular sport, adding that its history stretches back more than 2,000 years.
Reflecting on the game’s evolution, he said that modern football originated in 19th-century England. He also referred to the formation of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in Paris in 1904, noting that its founding members included Belgium, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The Governor further spoke about football’s journey in India, stating that women’s football began taking shape in the 1990s, with many of the early players emerging from West Bengal, similar to the men’s game.
Recalling the contribution of Indian football pioneer Nagendra Prasad, Bagde said he was among the first to establish multiple football clubs in Kolkata and Bengal, which significantly contributed to the sport’s popularity in the country.
