Maharashtra legislators were game for a football match to promote the Under-17 FIFA World Cup, which was organized outside the state assembly on 10 August 2017. This occasion was to launch Mission XI Million, to be held for the first time in India in October.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the event. Many of the legislators championed the cause by participating in the game. The participants were divided into two teams, namely Speaker’s XI and Chairman’s XI. Few legislators who did not play the match cheered for their teams, including Hari Bhau Bagde (Speaker), Chandrakant Patil (Revenue Minister), Ramraje Nimbalkar (Upper House Chairman), Dhananjay Munde (Opposition Leader), Radhakrishna Vikhe (Opposition Leader), Prithviraj Chavhan (former CM), Pankaja Munde and Girish Mahajan among others.

“This match is being organized to promote Mission XI Million. As many as 10 lakh school students will be playing football to raise awareness about the Under-17 World Cup football tournament in India”, said Sports Minister Vinod Tawde.