Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a friendly football match in Gangtok on Tuesday, April 28. He was seen in sports gear kicking with local youngsters.
PM Modi described the session as “energizing” on social media. “Nothing like playing football with my young friends in Sikkim on a beautiful Gangtok morning!” he wrote
The match took place during a two-day visit to Sikkim. Prime Minister Modi arrived on Monday to attend the closing ceremony of Sikkim’s 50th statehood celebrations. He also initiated development projects worth ₹4000 crore during the visit.
The football session came a day after he ended his election campaign in West Bengal. His last Bengal meeting was held at Barrackpore on Monday evening, April 27.
The mandatory 48-hour period of silence began at 6pm that day. During this period, all campaigns and media election agitation are prohibited.
The silence period now covers 142 constituencies in West Bengal. Voters in these seats go to the polls on Wednesday, April 29, for the second and final phase of the Bengal Assembly elections.
Modi’s morning football match in Gangtok was part of his wider engagement with the youth. It was also in line with his drive to promote sports and fitness across India.
The timing drew attention. While West Bengal observed election silence, the Prime Minister was across the border in Sikkim, kicking football with the kids on Tuesday morning.
Reaction on social networks
PM Modi’s game was enjoyed and appreciated by many social media users.
“Honestly, this made me laugh. Football really brings everyone together. And yes, age doesn’t matter if it’s something you love to do,” commented a social media user.
“It’s great to see that the government is now focusing and at least supporting other sports. Football is on the rise in India,” another user wrote.
Another user wrote: “Good authentic candid shots! So natural and refreshing. Looks like the PR team got a much needed upgrade… What a welcome change!”
One user quipped, “He’s playing in Sikkim, I’m scoring in Bengal.”
“A day to remember when children play a game with the nation’s prime minister,” read another.
At the same time, others raised other issues in the same comment thread.
“Jitne football khel lo, aayegi to Didi hi (No matter how big football you play, Didi will rise to power again)!” joked the user.
“Except the punishment is on the nation,” came the sarcastic comment.
Another user joked, “So close, yet so far from Manipur.”
