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Even as the entire Country has gone euphoric after India won the bid to host the 2017 U-17 World Cup, Mr. Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation isn’t willing to be in a celebratory mode. The real challenge, he stressed, “lies ahead.”
Speaking at the first Official Media Interaction organised by All India Football Federation since India won the bid to host the 2017 U-17 World Cup, Mr. Patel told a packed House: “Winning the right to host the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 was a lesser challenge. The bigger challenge of actually hosting the showpiece lies ahead.”
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“We have to make sure that the success of the Tournament is in line with the development of Indian Football in the long run. It’s not only about the Rankings, we have to ensure Football is the No.1 sport in the Country and for that to happen the platform has been laid,” added the AIFF President.
Mr. Patel further stated: “It will be a landmark event for India which will redefine Indian Football from now on and for many more decades to come. At AIFF we have always maintained that Grassroots is the only way forward and for the sustainable future of our Football we need youngsters to train in the best environment. This is the ideal motivation for all the youngsters, the drive to push them for the ultimate.”
Asked about the preparation of the National Team which will represent India in the Youth Tournament in 2017, Mr. Patel said that the best of the best facilities and care will be given to the Boys who will don the National Colours at the coveted Event.
“We may convert one of our Academies into a Team dedicated for the U-17 World Cup in 2017. We will send Youth Teams to more exposure trips abroad to have a feel of how the top countries around the Globe play. As far as the venues are concerned, we will not compromise as we are in no position to do that. FIFA is very strict with venues and only the best Stadia will host the World Cup.”
“Natural Turfs will be preferred to artificial ones and the State Associations must get their act together from tomorrow,” he opined.
India got the better of Ireland, 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa and Uzbekistan to get the final nod from FIFA’s Executive Committee at the Resort Town of Costa Do Sauipe in Brasil.
“It was not an easy task. Getting the guarantees from the Government of India and convincing FIFA that India indeed does have the ability and is serious about hosting the U-17 World Cup was tough.
“I am thankful to FIFA that it has recognised India’s determination and persuasion to give it to India ahead of many other contenders.”
The President also announced that there will be a dedicated Team working for the U-17 World Cup both on and off the field. “We have to have a decent Team playing in the World Cup. For that we will be having a dedicated Team working with the Boys. There will also be an infrastructural Committee with a nominee from the Government as well. Infrastructure is of paramount importance.”
The Youth Showpiece which is contested by 24 teams will be played in six venues which are to be shortlisted from eight Cities — Delhi, Goa, Bengaluru, Pune, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kochi, and Guwahati.
