Peter Lawwell launches Indian deal in Mumbai

Peter Lawwell will help launch the Mahrinda Youth Football Challenge in Mumbai today.

The deal will see Celtic send coaches to work in India during a fortnight long tournament in January held in six Indian cities.

The Celtic coaches will be working with under-14 kids as well as Indian coaches in the hope of getting some spin-off’s.

Part of the deal will see at least two of the best players in the tournament travel to Glasgow to train with the Celtic Academy.

India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world but has still to make any impact in football with cricket the number one sport.

Lawwell said: “We’re delighted to accept this invitation to visit India and we hope to establish a lasting positive connection in the country.

“Celtic already carries out fantastic community and coaching work across Scotland and Ireland. We’ve translated this to programmes in Japan, the USA and Australia.

“Given Celtic’s origins, Celtic has a unique story to tell and it’s great that there’s such interest in the club.

“We are fortunate to have supporters and interest in the club from across the globe.

“We’re sure this initiative in India will prove very successful in showing Celtic and indeed Scottish football to a whole new audience.”

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