Tournament director Javier Ceppi who has overseen the progression of preparations at the venue said, “Goa hosted the AFC U-16 Championship, which helped it get into very high infrastructure compliance levels and gives us enough confidence to ratify it as a venue for the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017. Now it is the moment to start focusing on all operational aspects to ensure a flawless delivery of the Event”
Also present at the event were Mr. Ramesh Tawadkar, Minister – Sports, Government of Goa, Mr. VM Prabhudesai – Executive Director – Sports Authority of Goa, Mr. Shrinivas Dempo, Vice President, AIFF, Mr. Joy Bhattacharjya – Project Director LOC and Ms. Tracy Lu – Project Lead FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.
Describing the preparations at the venue, Ms. Lu added, “We last inspected the venue in February and I am delighted to see the progress on all fronts over the last six months. The venue in fact has already been tested through the AFC U16 Championships and from what the reports suggest, they did a great job. That adds to Goa credence and thus the venue certainly deserves to be a venue for the India’s first FIFA World Cup.”
With Goa’s culture and love for the beautiful game, Sports Minister Mr. Ramesh Tawadkar was ecstatic at the prospect of the State hosting its first ever World Cup. He said, “Goa just hosted the AFC U16 tournament, where the four Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup were decided, needless to say we are extremely proud to be given this opportunity to host the tournament; it will most certainly be the next feather in our cap.”
The team also visited the training sites proposed for next year’s event — Tilak Maidan Stadium, Cana Benaulim Ground, Bambolin Stadium and Utorda Ground.
Goa became the third venue to get the go-ahead from FIFA, after Kochi and Navi Mumbai, to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.
The delegation will travel to New Delhi tomorrow to inspect the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium there.
