AIFF vows to raise the bar in hosting U-17 World Cup
Source: The Sangai Express / PTI
New Delhi, May 24 2017:
Bracing up to the host the FIFA
Under-17 World Cup, the All
India Football Federation
(AIFF) has vowed to raise the
bar for other federations to
embrace and emulate.
India has had a history of
successfully hosting some of
the biggest sporting events
including multiple cricket
World Cups, the Commonwealth
Games and the Asian
Games.
However, it will be the
first time a football event of
this magnitude will be held in
the country.
"FIFA U-17 World Cup
would usher in a new era in
Indian football.
We are sure
to make all Indians proud of
our achievement by setting an
example of how an international
event of this stature
should be organised," AIFF's
senior vice-president Subrata
Dutta said.
Dutta said the infrastructure
for the tournament was
nearly complete, a few days
after Kochi's status as one of
the host venues was confirmed.
The experienced football
administrator added, "Our endeavour
is to deliver the best
ever U-17 World Cup."
The mega event will be
held from October 6 to 28
across six cities.
Lauding the
sport's governing body for its
support, Dutta said, "FIFA
has been guiding us throughout
and I'm confident that we
will be able put up a great
show come."
The three-week tournament
will be played in six venues
� New Delhi, Mumbai,
Kolkata, Goa, Guwahati and
Kochi � with the final slated
for Kolkata on October 28.
With the 24 teams in place,
the attention now turns to the
official draw, which will take
place on July 7 and determine
the fixtures for each team.
Ticket sales for the tournament
have started on a
resounding note, with the first
phase of seats for Kolkata
selling out within hours of
becoming available last week.
In the first phase after its
launch, the venue package
tickets for Kolkata were kept
at throwaway prices of Rs
480, 960 and 1920 for the 10
matches including the summit
clash on October 28 .