India wins right to host 2017 Under-17 FIFA World Cup

New Delhi: India will host the FIFA Under-17 World Cup football in 2017 with the world governing body today awarding the right to host the prestigious tournament to the country in its executive committee meeting in Salvador da Bahia in Brazil.

On a landmark day for the country's football, India beat other bidders South Africa, Ireland and Uzbekistan in the fight to host the 24-nation biennial mega event. By virtue of being the host country, India will take part in the tournament for the first time in its history.

Football fraternity feels U-17 WC will change face of game

"Yes, India has won the right to host the 2017 Under-17 World Cup Football. It's official now," All India Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das told PTI.

This will the biggest ever football tournament India will be hosting and the first FIFA event in the country's history. India has hosted Asian Football Co federation's Youth Championships (Under-20) in 2006 and then the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 but never any FIFA tournament.

The date of the tournament will be decided later. United Arab Emirates hosted the tournament this year while Chile will be the host country for the 2015 edition.

India, whose submission of final bid documents were initially in doubt due to delay in getting government guarantees on various subjects, will need six to eight host cities for the mega event. New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Guwahati, Margao, Kochi and Bangalore could be in the running the host the matches.

From the very beginning, India's chances of winning the hosting right have been strong as it was FIFA which mooted the idea of the country hosting the mega event. The world body felt that if India can host the mega event, it could go a long way in lifting the profile of the game in the second most populous country in the world.

In a visit to the country, FIFA President Sepp Blatter and then his secretary Jerome Valcke, have supported India hosting the event, provided it builds the required infrastructure and facilities.

But, the journey has not been a smooth one as India's initial bid in January was rejected due to want of clear guarantees from the government on several subjects which the FIFA wants from a host country.

The bidding countries were required to submit written guarantees on tax exemptions for broadcasters and sponsors, foreign exchange remittances, security, transport and accommodation of players, and visa, among others.

The government supported the AIFF's bid from the very beginning but the sticking point had been the issue of the guarantees. India submitted the final bid document just a few days before the deadline of November 15.

While the expenses of hosting the event will be borne by FIFA and AIFF, the government has assured additional financial assistance.

"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 Sports Ministry had said.

"AIFF and FIFA have agreed to bear the entire expenditure of hosting the tournament. The amounts required are to be raised through sponsorships and other commercial agreements," it had said.

Football fraternity feel U-17 FIFA WC will change face of game

Football fraternity feel U-17 FIFA WC will change face of game

New Delhi/Kolkata: The football fraternity today described FIFA's decision to award India the right to host the 2017 Under-17 World Cup as a historic development which may change the face of the game in the country.

In a landmark development, India was chosen as the host country for the mega event by the FIFA executive committee in its meeting at Salvador de Bahia in Brazil. Describing the development as historic, All India Football Federation President Praful Patel said hosting the mega event would have a huge impact in raising the profile of the game.

"This is historic. This is what we have been waiting for. FIFA has been extremely supportive of our ambitions and taking Indian football to world level. Hosting a tournament of such a stature will help galvanise the face of Indian football among the masses and youth of the country," he said.

Legendary Indian footballer Chuni Goswami said hosting the mega event would be a boon for infrastructure development and will also give a chance for youngsters to showcase their talent at the world level.

"It's certainly a great step for development of Indian football. All the stakeholders will have to work in tandem to make the tournament a success. It will be a lesson for our youngsters to play alongside the best in the world. We have talented young kids on the block. Lack of exposure has kept them behind. Things will change with the World Cup. It will give us a huge boost," the former Indian captain told PTI.

Former captain I M Vijayan felt hosting the mega event may change the face of Indian football. "This tournament may change the face of football in India. We have the capacity to hold the tournament successfully. I feel at the youth and junior level we can compete at the world level. So, this may bring a beginning of the change in Indian football we are looking for," he said.

Current India goalkepeer Subrata Paul Subrata Pal felt getting the right to host the tournament was the biggest thing to have happen in the country's football.

"In my point of view, this is the biggest thing to happen to Indian football. We never ever thought that India would host a World Cup. It's like a dream come true for us. We're getting it all started with U-17 World Cup, hopefully we would one day get to host the World Cup. After all, this is the beginning."

Shaji Prabhakaran, FIFA Development Officer for South and Central Asia, said the Under-17 World Cup could be a game-changer for the country's football.

"This tournament may be a game-changer, it will give a great push towards India's ambitions to become a footballing nation. It will put India in the limelight of world football. The hardwork will start now, but I feel the AIFF and all the stakeholders together can make the tournament a success," he said.

Current India midfielder Mehtab Hossain said the Under-17 World Cup would lead to a big improvement in football infrastructure in the country.

"I'm over the moon to hear the news. It's a great feeling. Indian football will reach new heights. The real standard of football will develop through this. I'm sure many more world class venues would come up," he said.

Former India defender Subrata Bhattacharya felt with the hosting of the mega event, corporate sector would also start taking interest in the game.

"Besides developing Indian football, I'm pretty sure that the business barons, corporates too slowly will be interested in taking up the sport. When there's money there's development. Indian football will only benefit from an event of this stature," he said.

"There are many India cities where football is hugely popular and followed. This will further popularise the sport. It's the step in the right direction. I'm really delighted. It's a great moment."