EXCLUSIVE | You need to get football into schools, says Andre Villas-Boas on the future of Indian football

India is a sport-loving country. While cricket continues to rulethe hearts of many across the nation, many other sports have also risen in popularity in recent years. Football is rising at a rapid pace but still has miles to cover to make an impact globally. The likes of Sunil Chhetri, Indian football captain, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and the likes have created a strong base, but many of their young followers need to stand tall and help the country's football to make a strong impact worldwide.

Andre Villas-Boas -- football manager and Laureus ambassador -- is one of the youngest top-flight managers who won the Europa League with FC Porto at 33. The game has been associated with him over the years. Recently, he got a chance to interact with underprivileged kids during his three-day visit to India -- and spoke at lengthon the future of the game in the country during an exclusive interaction with Wion Sports' Editor Digvijay Singh Deo.

After conducting a masterclass for the young small children of Delhi, the former Chelsea manager Andre revealed how his meeting went with the young kids. "Emotionally, it was very very rewarding for me. Hope it was the same for them. I'm thankful for the work done by Slum Soccer for these kids in India. I'm humbled and honoured. In such difficult circumstances they live, without infrastructure, and these 30 kids are still able to enjoy themselves. Put out the best skills they have. Not only technical skills but alsocooperation, leadership and communication are some important tools they can takeinto their future. I thank Slum Soccer once again and Laureus for the work they do. We need more and moreto change other people's lives."

During his visit to Delhi, Andre caught up with young football fan Jatin, a goalkeeper for his local football club - Rurka Kalan. Their mutual love for football made them connect instantly and Jatin got a chance to interact with the former Chelsea manager, a moment he will not forget for quite some time.

Jatin earned the chance to meet Andre after winning a unique drawing competition, which featured hundreds of participants from around the world. The young Indian fan's design will now be engraved on the back of the 16th special edition timepiece that Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has launched in collaboration with Laureus Sport for Good.

“I am really excited to be in India to meet Jatin and the young people from Slum Soccer. It’s wonderful to think that the watch which Jatin helped to design will contribute to raising awareness for Laureus. It was a great honour recognising Jatin as the winner of the competition and we enjoyed talking about football during our time together.

I am also thinking of all the other young people, like Jatin, who are in Laureus programmes around the world, similar to Slum Soccer here in New Delhi, and who are benefiting from the experience. This is a brilliant and unique initiative and I would like to thank Laureus Global Partner IWC sincerely for their support," Andre said about his interaction with the young fan.

Football is certainly one of the most accessible sports to play. On being asked if he feelsIndian football needs that push as, despite the population, India has not reached the levels it should have, Andrepointed out that we need to tap into the talent.

"I think you need a lot of reforms. I know a lot of Portuguese have come here for the stars league that you (India) have proposed. I spoke to them before coming and they told me to make the most of the experience. You need to create a culture. You need to get the football into schools, into kids' heads so that they idolise their heroes and try to emulate them. The Ronaldos and the Messis. But you need the infrastructure and conditions. You guys have enough technical skills, you just need to work on it."

The population of India surely indicates that there is no dearth of talent across any field. Thus, hopes for high for Indian football and the youngsters joining the game to take it to a level that it has never reached as yet.