FIFA U-17 World Cup: FIFA reportedly cancels Indian Government's plans to stage opening ceremony

What's the story?

According to DNA India, FIFA has scrapped AIFF and the Sports Ministry's plan to host an opening ceremony in Delhi scheduled for a day before the U-17 World Cup begins. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reportedly refused to attend the supposedly grand opening ceremony planned by the governing body and the Sports Ministry. FIFA has otherwise suggested holding a small ceremony on the 6th of September, on the day the U-17 World Cup is kicked off.

Tournament director Javier Ceppi reflected on this issue saying, "An opening ceremony is not a usual aspect of the conduct of a Fifa U-17 World Cup because in these tournaments football is the real star. There was a query by the government of India at some point of time to do one but it is not confirmed that it will happen."

In case you didn't know...

Despite there not being a tradition of grand opening ceremonies being done at the U-17 World Cups, the government still wanted to go ahead with their idea. Last month, then sports minister Vijay Goel also revealed in an interview that a grand opening ceremony is being planned for the ministry hoping to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the event. But those plans will now have to be placed on the back burner.

The heart of the matter

As revealed by Ceppi, the government of India along with AIFF requested FIFA for permission to use the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in the capital for the ceremony. But the governing body of the game, FIFA denied the required permission at a venue which would host India's first match against the United States of America the next day.

What's next?

The FIFA U-17 World Cup will begin on the 6th of October with India being grouped together with the likes of the United States of America, Colombia, and Ghana.

Author's take

FIFA's decision to reject the plans for an opening ceremony reflects their aim of focusing on the sport rather than the showbiz involved in the country. India sees extravagant opening ceremonies for tournaments like the Indian Premier League every year but this professional change to put the onus solely on the game is a huge learning experience for the bosses of the sport.