Captains of the 18 mens team and 8 women team

AFL International Cup 2017 was launched at the Government House in Melbourne today with around 850 participants from 18 men’s and 8 women’s teams from across the globe and other dignitaries present. The Captains of all the men’s and women’s team went through a special photo shoot to kick things off for the day along with the Governor of Victoria, Hon Linda Dessau and the Sports Minister of Victoria, Hon John Eren.

Hon Governor of Victoria with our Captain

Members of all the teams were then welcomed by the Governor and the Sports Minister and were hosted for tea.

The honourable governor Dessau, who is an Essendon supporter herself was really excited to see the Bombers support the Indian team and gladly posed for a photo with the Essendon Indian Guernsey and wished the team all the luck.

The second leg of the opening ceremony was at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground where all the countries participated in a ‘Parade of Nations’ inside the MCG before the Essendon Vs Carlton game.

The big moment came for the India team at half time of the match when the legendary Kevin Sheedy presented the Indian team Guernsey to the captain of the Essendon Indian team Sudip Chakraborty on the ground after which the Indian captain was interviewed by the media present as well.

Kevin Sheedy then handed out the guernseys to all the players in the team which he had selected himself back in Kolkata when he visited India during the ARFAI National Championship 2017. He wished all the luck to the Essendon India team and promised to visit them during the tournament once again.

Kevin Sheedy with the Essendon Indian team