From correspondents in Europe, 08:30 AM IST

A team of Asian youngsters will play football matches in India under a project to use the sport as a way of developing links between the two countries.

Leicester City Football Club and the Leicester India Football Initiative have put together a squad to play matches in Goa this October. The team may thereafter visit several other countries, including Italy.

Accompanying the team will be coaches from Leicester City, the well-known UK division club, says the local daily Leicester Mercury.

The player, all of Asian origin, have been selected from among Leicester school students and City club hopefuls. The names will be out shortly.

The initiative was launched by Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric, Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, and the British High Commissioner to India, Sir Richard Stagg.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)