(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India’s young football stars are all set for their next big challenge! Head coach Bibiano Fernandes has announced a strong 23-member squad for the Indian U17 men’s team to compete in the SAFF U17 Championship in Sri Lanka. The tournament kicks off on September 15, and the Blue Colts – that’s what we call India’s U17 boys – have been grinding hard in training camps in Goa for nearly two months since trials started in July.
The team will land in Colombo on Saturday afternoon, ready to hit the ground running. In Group B, India faces Maldives on September 16, Bhutan on September 19, and Pakistan on September 22. The semi-finals are lined up for September 25, with the final showdown on September 27. All the action unfolds at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo.
As defending champions, India enters with confidence after beating Bangladesh 2-0 to lift the SAFF U17 title in Bhutan last year. This tournament is a key step for the Blue Colts, who have their eyes on qualifying for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026. The qualifiers for that big event are coming up in November 2025 in Ahmedabad, so these young players are building momentum early.
Here’s the full India U17 squad for the SAFF U17 Championship 2025 in Sri Lanka:
Goalkeepers: Manashjyoti Baruah, Maroof Shafi, Rajrup Sarkar.
Defenders: Houlungou Mate, Indra Rana Magar, Konthoujam Korou Meitei, Md Aimaan Bin, R Lawmsangzuala, Shubham Poonia, Thanggoumang Touthang, Yumnam Madino Singh.
Midfielders: Abrar Ali Baba, Dallalmuon Gangte, Thokchom Diamond Singh, Wangkhem Denny Singh, Yengkhom Nitishkumar Meitei.
Forwards: Aazim Parveez Najar, Azlaan Shah Kh, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi, Kamgouhao Doungel, Lesvin Rebelo, Rahan Ahmed.
Leading the charge is head coach Bibiano Fernandes, with assistant coach Chandam Chitrasen Singh, goalkeeping coach Parshuram Salwadi, and strength and conditioning coach Karan Mane by his side.
Football fans in India, keep an eye on these rising talents – they could be the future of Indian football!
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