Chandigarh
30 August 2023
DIVYA AZAD
Minerva Academy, popularly known as The Factory, has always been the backbone of the Indian football team and once again their footballers have made it to the Indian team. Saff U-16 Championship will be starting on September 1 in Bhutan and Minerva’s Abhijit, Renin and Yoihenba will strengthen the Indian team. The final match will be played on 10 September.
Minerva has given centre back like Anwar Ali to the country and this time to the soccer star of the academy will look after the defence. Abhijit and Renin have been included in the team as defenders. Yaihenba of The Factory has been placed in the midfield area. All the three players have consistently done well for Minerva and will now take the Indian team forward.
The Indian team has been placed in Group A for the SAFF U-16 Championship. Teams from Nepal and Bangladesh will be here with them. On the other hand, Maldives and Pakistan will compete in Group-B along with hosts Bhutan. The top-2 teams of both the groups will qualify for the semi-finals. The camp for the Indian team was organized in Srinagar and it was from here that coach Ahmed selected the best 23 players.
Ranjit Bajaj, Director of Minerva Academy, said that it is a matter of pride for us that whenever the Indian team is selected, Minerva players are included in it. Our warriors have always been fighting for their national team and this time also our three players are ready. I am proud of our players and coaches; we will continue to work as players factory of Indian football team.
