AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal kicked-off the first ever Board Meeting of the Local Organizing Committee of the  FIFA U 17 World Cup 2017 at the SAI Headquarters, New Delhi on Tuesday (September 29, 2015).

In a stirring address, Mr. Sonowal urged all stakeholders of the Tournament to work together as a Team and put their best foot forward to make the event a grand success. He assured the complete support of the Government for the first ever football World Cup in India.

Earlier, AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel welcomed all the delegates and explained the significance of the Tournament for the overall development of Indian Football. He also outlined the support necessary from all quarters for successfully staging the Tournament.

He was followed by Javier Ceppi, Tournament Director, LOC FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017, who updated the Board on the current progress of the preparations.

Secretary MYAS, Mr. Rajesh Yadav, DG SAI MR. Injeti Srinivas and Joint Secretary MYAS, Mr. Onkar Kedia then put forward the Central Government’s perspective on the preparation after which representatives from Goa, Kochi, Guwahati and Kolkata updated the forum on the current progress of work at the various venues.

Also present were Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary AIFF; Dr. Shaji Prabharkaran, FIFA Development Officer, Mr. Subrata Dutta, President, IFA and representatives from SAI, Sports Ministry and the Local Organizing Committee of the FIFA U 17 World Cup 2017.

The FIFA U 17 World Cup, 2017 is the first ever FIFA Tournament to be held in India and will be staged in September–October 2017. Six venues, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Kolkata and Guwahati have been initially shortlisted as venues for the Event.