By Samindra Kunti
February 22 – FIFA is satisfied with India’s planning and preparation for next year’s U17 World Cup, but indicated that the hosts still need major renovation in the six selected venues to be compliant with international standards.
FIFA awarded the 2017 U17 World Cup to India ahead of Ireland, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan in 2013. It will be the first time India host a FIFA World Cup of any kind. The All India Football Federation AIFF cleared Kochi, Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Margao and Kolkata as the venues for the tournament after an initial inspection by FIFA.
Last week another FIFA inspectional team, led by Jaime Yarza, toured all the venues across the country. The team stressed the need for construction and renovation to start immediately if India want to make the October deadline for the compliance of the stadia.
“I must say that the FIFA delegation is satisfied with the planning of the U-17 FIFA World Cup,” said Yarza at a press conference. “The AIFF, the local organising committee and government have done a very good job as far as planning is concerned. We are 80 per cent satisfied with the planning of the tournament.”
“But we need amendments in the ground plan and all the six stadiums need major renovations. October is the deadline for the stadiums to comply with standards required for hosting a World Cup match,” continued Yarza. “The state and central governments and local organising committee will need to start the construction work immediately.”
Yarza highlighted dressing rooms and evacuation of spectators as problematic at certain venues.
“The D Y Patil Stadium in Mumbai has high quality and the other five can also become fantastic stadiums to host World Cup matches if they implement the changes required,” said Yarza.
Tournament director Jevier Ceppi stressed that the six stadiums inspected by the FIFA team are not yet confirmed to host the U-17 FIFA World Cup.
“We have the back up,” said Ceppi. “I have inspected so many stadiums in this country like in Pune, Chennai or Ahmedabad and they can fill in if any of the six stadiums fail to comply with FIFA standards by October.”
Kolkata’s Salta Lake stadium will most likely host the final.
“We have to see two aspects – readiness and willingness,” said Ceppi. “We know Kolkata is a traditional stronghold of football and then Salt Lake is a huge stadium and we want a large number of people watching the final match.”
India’s U17 team is currently in South Africa for a training camp to prepare for next year’s tournament.
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