In Shillong, Modi also talks about football, praises Meghalaya for ‘cleanest village’

“We are all familiar with famous football players such as Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Aibor Khongjee, and Marlangki Suting. They have done both the country and the state proud, by representing India in international tournaments, and their clubs in the Indian Super League,” he said to a thundering applause.

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Pointing out that India will host the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017, Modi asked Meghalaya in particular, and the region in general, to take advantage of this event. “Meghalaya has a large number of football clubs and associations. Perhaps, you can organise competitive local tournaments and lead the way for other parts of the country, to build a series of major events leading to the Under-17 World Cup,” he said.

Earlier in the day, he laid the foundation stone of a football stadium in Shillong.

The PM also spoke about Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on earth, for which he formally dedicated a Doppler Weather Radar earlier in the day.