I CAN | INDIA CAN
Everyone can do something to enable India to win the Football World Cup
Story of the Janitor Who Helped Put a Man on the Moon
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy visited NASA for the first time. During his tour of the facility, he met a janitor who was carrying a broom down the hallway. The President then casually asked the janitor what he did for NASA, and the janitor replied, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.”
Take a moment and reflect on this idea. The janitor knew something that most of us struggle with: the purpose of his work. He kept the building clean so that the scientists, engineers, and astronauts could focus on their mission of putting “man on the moon”. They did not have to spend time on trash cans, bathrooms, or hallways. He did that for them. He saw where his contribution fit in the organisation. He connected his purpose with theirs.
Story of the Squirrel Who Helped Lord Rama
Lord Rama needed to build a bridge across the sea to Lanka to rescue his wife, Sita. Lord Hanuman and all the others in Rama’s vanara (monkey) army carried the largest boulders and rocks. All the smaller creatures helped too, even squirrels.
One squirrel was carrying pebbles when a monkey asked what he was doing there, and shouted at him to get out of the way. The squirrel said he was carrying pebbles to build Lord Rama’s bridge. The monkey laughed at the squirrel as if to say, “What can you do, you tiny squirrel?” But it was the pebbles that filled in the gaps between the boulders that made the bridge strong. Lord Rama lifted the little squirrel, thanked him for all his hard work, and blessed him by stroking his back.
Like this, Janitor and Squirrel, we can do so many things to support India to win the football World Cup
THE CORE PILLARS
- Play: Strengthening the body and the talent pool.
- Pay: Investing in infrastructure and professional growth.
- Party: Cultivating a vibrant fan culture.
- Pray: Uniting under a shared spiritual and emotional goal.
PILLAR 1 | PLAY FOR INDIA
- Personal Well-being: Regular play creates a healthy foundation for future generations.
- Club Commitment: Dedicate maximum effort to your local team or club.
- The Growth Mindset: Seek out stronger opponents and play in tough conditions to build resilience.
- Expanding Access: Work to create maximum play opportunities for all Indian footballers.
PILLAR 2 | PAY FOR INDIA
- Direct Membership: Become a paying member of a football club to provide stable revenue.
- Fan Economy: Pay for match tickets and official club merchandise.
- Commercial Support: Pay to sponsor, own, or promote clubs and professional leagues.
- Foundation: Invest in the construction of modern sports infrastructure.
PILLAR 3 | PARTY FOR INDIA
- The Tailgate Party: Celebrate the National Team or local clubs at the stadium.
- The Homegate Party: Host match-day gatherings at home to build community.
- Local Pride: Go to the stands to watch and cheer for your local club.
- Victory Culture: Make time to celebrate wins and foster a positive atmosphere.
PILLAR 4 | PRAY FOR INDIA
- Collective Spirit: Pray for the success of the Indian National Team and local clubs.
- The Ultimate Vision: Maintain a shared prayer for India to win the Football World Cup.