Can India kick off a hit U-17 FIFA World Cup?

India would be hosting its biggest FIFA event ever this October, when 24 top international teams converge on the Subcontinent for the Under-17 World Cup.

But, the yet-to-be held tournament is also making a noise for some wrong reasons, and it involves our Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel.

A major sticking point between FIFA and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been over the hosting of group-stage matches involving India. The Union Sports Ministry is reportedly keen on Delhi getting to host all of India’s matches. FIFA, on the other hand, is of the view that no matches could take place in Delhi after October 16 due to beginning of Diwali festivities in the Capital. High pollution levels are witnessed in the Capital around Diwali, which falls on October 19 this year.

And there are other concerns too

• Not only FIFA, some domestic stakeholders have also questioned the logic behind the Sports Ministry’s proposal of India playing all its group stage matches at Delhi’s Jawaharalal Nehru Stadium. The main argument being put forth against Sports Ministry’s insistence is that cities like Kolkata, Guwahati and Kochi should be given priority in hosting India’s matches, given their larger fan following than the national capital.
• The pace of preparations for the mega event, which begins on October 6 and ends on October 28, have evoked concerns from Goel too, who inspected Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday. According to a PTI report, Goel’s visit to the southern state was sparked by reports that preparations weren’t “up to the mark”.
• The lackadaisical preparations at the venues raises the obvious question: Why aren’t the venues ready yet, even though the tournament was awarded to India back in December 2013?
• A lot is riding on India being successfully able to host the October’s tournament, which will be the 17th edition. FIFA officials have reportedly indicated that India may be considered for hosting bigger titles, including the FIFA World Cup, if it successfully hosts the Under-17 World Cup.

Budding footballers leave no stone unturned

With the recently concluded I-League having been won by an upstart club, Aizawl FC, expectations from the rookie Indian side are high as the first-timers look to make their mark in international football.

"Theoretically, our chances of success are not big and there is common awareness of this fact. Yet that is what makes this challenge so unique and motivating. Because the team will represent the country, so they should play with dignity and pride. Our primary objective is to win the first game of the World Cup even if the odds are against us, the Indian team’s newly appointed Portuguese coach, Luis Norton de Matos, was quoted as saying by the FIFA website in March.

The Under-17 team is currently on an European exposure tour to get maximum international experience under its belt in the lead up to the tournament. The junior side will be playing in Portugal, France, Hungary and Italy in coming match to get maximum match practice.