Five ways India will benefit by hosting the 2017 Under-17 FIFA World Cup

Government involvement

For a long time even the submission of India’s bid looked uncertain with FIFA also rejecting the first bid back in January due to AIFF’s failure of getting certain assurances from the government. Those assurances include written guarantees on tax exemptions for broadcasters and sponsors, foreign exchange remittances, security, transport and accommodation of players, and visa, among others. But thankfully all assurances were granted by the government and the bid was submitted just before the deadline last month. Even the emblem of FIFA was granted legal protection, a privilege which even the ICC (International Cricket Council) doesn’t enjoy. Now with India winning the bid, the hope is that the government will get more involved with not only the preparation of the tournament but the sport overall. Considering the vastness of our country, it’s impossible to pull of an international event without the help of the government and even governments of the states that comprise the selected venues will also have to work actively in the tournament’s build-up. With the country being embarrassed in the lead up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games, one can expect the government to be more involved and serious this time around.

Global recognition

India is widely recognised as a sleeping giant by FIFA but still world football’s governing body has always been very supportive keeping in mind the country’s enormous population. Perhaps that sympathetic stand played a part in India winning the bid and that has given them the perfect chance to show the world that they are capable of hosting an international football tournament. In the recent past India has been the centre of various commercial projects of European football clubs like soccer schools or football clinics but in four years’ time they will host some of the best future talents of world football. There is no dearth of passion for the beautiful game and that has been acknowledged by greats such as Pele, Oliver Kahn, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi following their visits to the country. But hosting a World cup, albeit the under-17 version, will require much more than just passion. Proper planning, professionalism, requisite personnel are some of the necessary ingredients. Many will question India’s ability of eventually hosting the competition and thus this is AIFF’s chance to prove those critics wrong and get global recognition.

Revolution

I-League clubs might have opposed the proposed India Super League but none can ignore the tournament’s potential to raise the profile of the sport if it’s successful. The new league certainly stands a better chance of attracting the attention of the masses because of the presence of several renowned stars. The under-17 world cup can contribute in a similar and perhaps a better way. Seeing India in the World Cup is the common dream of every football fan (even the ones who mainly follow European club football). So even if it’s only the under-17 version, watching Indians brush shoulders with a future Messi, Ronaldo or Ribery would act as a motivation for thousands of budding footballers and even the ones who may not be eligible to play in the tournament. Because of the lack of financial prospects in Indian football currently, kids are never encouraged to consider the sport as their profession. But that could change with this U-17 World Cup as interest in the game will rise and it could open the door for more sponsors and corporates to invest in the sport. Although it won’t exactly be of the stature of the 1983 cricket World Cup triumph, ‘India 2017’ will bring a certain revolution that Indian football needed. Let’s hope that the people concerned make the most of it.