The Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi held a special felicitation ceremony to honour Minerva Academy FC for their triumphant win at the Norway Cup 2025 in Oslo this past July.
The event began with the Norwegian Ambassador emphasising how sports serve as a bridge and help strengthen cultural ties between India and Norway. A panel discussion followed, featuring Minerva’s founder Ranjit Bajaj, Technical Director Surinder Singh and three standout players — Chetan Tiwari, Konthoujam Denamoni and Thokchom Chingkheiganba Singh — who shared insights from their journey to the tournament.
Bajaj spoke about the pride of seeing an Indian grassroots club succeed on a global stage. Singh emphasised how the players adapted to European conditions and overcame challenges through discipline and strategy. The young players also reflected on emotional moments: Denamoni shared his dream of one day representing India at the World Cup, while Chingkheiganba recalled the pride in his mother’s voice when they won.
A friendly match between Embassy officials and the Minerva team added a symbolic touch — showing how football crosses borders and unites people through shared passion and teamwork.
This moment not only recognises Minerva Academy’s international success but also highlights India’s growing footprint in global youth football — proving that talent from every corner of the country can shine when given the right platform.
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