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India to Host 2017 Under-17 FIFA World Cup |
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Under 17 FIFA World Cup 2017 Hosting Cities
Map showing the under-17 FIFA World Cup 2017 hosting cities in India.
Under-17 FIFA World Cup 2017 in India
India has been awarded to host the 2017 Under-17 FIFA World Cup by the FIFA executive committee. It was declared on 6 December 2013 after a meeting held in the Brazilian city of Salvador da Bahia.
“Yes, India has won the right to host the 2017 Under-17 World Cup Football. It’s official now,” AIFF general secretary stated.
India’s bid to host the Under-17 tournament was submitted by the All India Football Federation in November.
What’s the process for hosting the Under 17 FIFA World Cup?
All the countries who wish to host the event have to bid and submit assurances on paper related to details of tax exclusion for newscasters and promoters, foreign exchange allowances, transportation and accommodation of players, and security. It has been possible for India to win the race—defeating South Africa, Uzbekistan and Ireland—only after the successful submission of the obligatory agreements by the union government.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter, during his visit to India, had pressed the All India Football Federation to bid for the Under-17 event. India’s bid was also backed by the Asian Football Confederation.
About the cup
The Under-17 World Cup occurs after every two years. The 2013 event was staged by UAE while the 2015 event will be hosted by Chile.
The FIFA and the AIFF will manage the expenses of the mega event, with additional financial assistance by the government. A sports ministry official stated, “While the expenditure for upgradation of stadia (Rs. 95 crore) will be provided as additional central assistance to the state governments, a sum of Rs. 25 crore is kept as a contingency to ensure smooth conduct of the tournament.”
The matches will be held in five states: West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, with the fifth state yet to be decided.
What does it matter so much for India?
It is a big achievement for the country, as India will not only host it but will also participate in the grand event for the first time. Rising from the rank of 169 in 2012 to 148 in 2013, India seems to be chasing its goal to make it to the FIFA. It was in 1996 that India made it to the top 100, being at the 94th rank. This event to be held in India will popularize football in a country in which cricket is the only popular sport.
“It’s a great decision, a game-changer for Indian football, provided we successfully get the under-17 World Cup,” said Kushal Das, AIFF general secretary.
