INDIA NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM'S UK TOUR

Early day motion 1014, tabled 25 July 2000 by Ashok Kumar (Labour). Signed by 44 members.

That this House welcomes the news that India's National Football Team are currently enjoying their first ever UK tour; notes that the team has not played at all in the UK for over 50 years; further notes that the current captain of the national side, Bhaichung Bhutai, became the first Indian player to play professional football in the UK when he signed for Bury FC; congratulates Mr Rajprohit and Sapphire Enterprises Limited for financing the squad's visit to the UK; acknowledges Fulham Football Club's two lucky goals leading to their 2-0 victory over the visiting team; wishes the Indian squad well in their upcoming games against West Bromwich and Bangladesh; and welcomes the benefits to those clubs' race relations programmes and the increased interest in watching and playing the game which the tour will bring.

Signatures by party: Labour 34, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 2, UUP 1.