Kolkata to turn into FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2017 headquarters

Considering West Bengal as one of the most football loving state in the country, the FIFA representatives is keen to organise the final match of the Under-17 Football World Cup in Kolkata.

A five-member FIFA delegation led by Yarza and member of local delegation and Tournament Director Javier Ceppi, accompanied by the West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, called on the Chief minister Mamata Banerjee and briefed her about their experience on inspection of the venues here. While speaking to her we felt that the Chief Minister has deep knowledge about football and she loves the sports a lot. She has assured us all help,” said Javier Ceppi, the tournament director.

Jalma Yazra, the head of the events, said that Kolkata had always been the best part in respect of football. It has long heritage and love for the game. Thus, the central office of Fifa for the tournament will be in the city itself. At the same time the central system of broadcasting the matches of the world cup that will take place in stadiums located in different parts of the country will also be set up in Kolkata. From the city the matches will be telecasted live to 209 countries.

“If everything goes as planned and we get necessary support then it is almost confirm that the final match of the under-17 World Cup will take place in Kolkata,” said Yazra adding that the city will be one of the top venues of the largest sports even in India till date.

Expressing satisfaction over the work done at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Yarza said that the venue would turn into a top venue of the U-17 World Cup. “The Yuva Bharati Krirangan will host the final match of the tournament. We are also trying to arrange the opening match of the tournament at the same venue,” Yarza added. They also said that stadiums, where the matches will take place, will be of international standard. Many things which will be installed for the tournament in the venues will remain as legacy of the grand event.  “We have visited the stadiums. The work is on and it is satisfactory. We expect that the stadiums will be handed over to us by  October,” said Ceppi.

“The stadium will be ready by October, when we will come back to see the final arrangement,” Yarza said. A ten-member FIFA delegation earlier inspected the Yuva Bharati Krirangan at Salt Lake to review the planning and work done there. A nine-member local delegation accompanied the FIFA delegation during their inspection of the venues here.