250 hopefuls turn out for India's U-17 World Cup team selection trial in Dubai

NEW DELHI: Around 250 kids with Indian passports turned out for trials in Dubai where director of scouting Abhishek Yadav is on a hunt to unearth more talent ahead of India taking part in the first-ever U-17 World Cup which it is hosting next year.
"It's Ramzan here. Despite that the number of hopefuls that turned out was flattering," Yadav told TOI from Dubai.
Yadav will be staying in Dubai till July second week, and if this pilot project is successful other countries will also be sounded out.
"Indians staying abroad deserve a chance when their country is playing the World Cup for the first time. We will go to Gulf countries with dense Indian population, and also in other European countries if needed.
"The online portal should help as time is at a premium,"
The AIFF has created an online portal which shall function as a platform for kids to upload their videos which would then be screened by a group of scouts trained to choose a player as per the criterion set by Adam. The boys will then be asked to appear for a trial in their country of residence and if they do manage to impress, they could be a part of the U-17 World cup team.
Meanwhile, the Indian U-17 World Cup team trotted to a 2-0 win against FC Metz U-17 at the Sports Complex in Tremery, France on Saturday. The Indian colts had the lion’s share of possession in the match and fostered goal scoring opportunities at will, but were left reeling as chances were seldom converted.