Gianni Infantino, President of world football's governing body FIFA, on Tuesday described India as the "passionate giant".
"India has always been always mentioned as the 'Sleeping Giant'.
But from what I have seen here I am sure that India is now the passionate giant of football, " Infantino said at a media interaction here.
"India are the world champions of passion.
All of this is due to the work which is being done by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), " he said, according to an AIFF release.
"The work done by AIFF is impressive and it is not a coincidence that football is developing in India and the passion is growing year after year.
Results won't be immediate but it will follow in coming years, " he added.
"India is a passionate giant because I have been seeing the graph of development.
The Mission Eleven Million which the AIFF is working on to indulge the youth is commendable. "
"The passion of the people, of the fans, of the Players, of the youth and the people associated with Football is heart - warming and makes the future bright. "
AIFF President Praful Patel dubbed the U - 17 football World Cup, to be hosted by India next year, to be a "milestone for Indian football".
"The FIFA U - 17 World Cup is a new chapter in the history of Indian football and we need to make sure that it is one of the best FIFA tournaments ever held in the World, " he said.
"The passion for football has the ability to take us forward from the U - 17 World Cup and we need to capitalise on that, " he added.
Infantino also mentioned that its needs to be made sure that there is a "steady growth of football in India".
"Football is already one of the top sports of India and it is the number one sport for the Indian youth.
We aim to make it the number one sport in India for everybody.
FIFA together with AIFF has to develop football in India and we need to make sure that there is a steady growth of football in India, " the FIFA president said.
"India is a continent which is developing and football will become the No. 1 sport in the country. "
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