Thaindian News

New Delhi, Jan 30 (IANS) India is fast becoming a global destination for sport. After cricket and hockey, it is now soccer’s turn if FIFA carries the vote for India to host the Under-17 World Cup in 2017. India’s sports ministry will support the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to bid for the event.

FIFA has asked the AIFF to bid for the Under-17 World Cup. The FIFA executive committee will decide on the hosts in March.

AIFF secretary Kushal Das told IANS that “FIFA in principle has agreed to give the hosting rights of the tournament to India.”

Das said the AIFF is preparing to submit the bid documents by March 15. As a host India can directly qualify for what would be its maiden U-17 World Cup.

“We are preparing to submit a professionally worked out bid document. If India can convince the FIFA executive members, it will be the biggest tournament the sub-continent will be holding. It will be a big boost for the game in the country and India could be playing in the tournament as hosts,” said Das.

The AIFF will also seek help from sports minister Ajay Maken to help with infrastructure since FIFA bears the cost of the tournament.

“The government has to give a declaration to FIFA that it would support the tournament. The FIFA will also ask for tax exemptions and other relaxations in visa rules and foreign exchange,” said Das.

Sports minister Ajay Maken told IANS that the government will try to help the AIFF in its endeavour.

“In all such endeavours, the government is has always been supportive. But let us get the proposal officially and then we will take it from there,” he said.

FIFA willingness to give India one of its major tournaments here doesn’t come as a surprise as last year Thierry Regenass, the director of membership and development association of FIFA, said India would bid to host the 24-team tournament either in 2017 or in 2019.

Unlike the senior World Cup, which needs minimum 10 venues, the U-17 World Cup will require 6-8 venues. The 24-nation meet could be hosted in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Goa, Bangalore and Chennai. The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, however, would need special permission to host the tournament since its artificial turf is not approved by FIFA.

FIFA development officer Shaji Prabhakaran told IANS that the tournament could change the landscape of Indian football.

“The tournament could be the best way to take the game forward in India. We have witnessed a huge popularity in the game and hosting the U-17 World Cup would help AIFF promote the game in a big way. It will be a win-win situation for India,” he said.

Prabhakaran said AIFF needs good infrastructure and government support to conduct a successful U-17 World cup.

“The U-17 World Cup is one of the showpiece events of FIFA to promote budding talent. It is the best stage for some of the young footballers to showcase their talent,” said Prabhakaran.

The inaugural edition of the tournament was held 1985 and is held every two years. Nigeria and Brazil are the most successful teams having won thrice while Ghana and Mexico have triumphed twice each.

The next edition slated for 2013 will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while Chile will host the U-17 World Cup in 2015.