Kochi becomes the first venue to get FIFA nod for U-17 world cup
The FIFA delegation has given the green signal to Kochi to host the Under-17 world cup next year despite taking note of some as-of-now uncompleted works. The committee will visit Navi Mumbai today after giving its nod to Kochi making it the first venue earmarked for the event to get their approval.Â
After visiting the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on Wednesday, a 23-member high-level delegation comprising experts from FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) gave the nod to Kochi as the venue for next year's mega event.
"Based on what we have seen and based on all the works we have done with the government of Kerala, with the Kerala Football Association, with all the different stakeholders here in Kochi, we are extremely pleased to announce that Kochi has been ratified as a venue for Fifa U-17 World Cup. Congratulations!" announced tournament director of the LOC Javier Ceppi at a press conference.
Despite noting that there were many things that need to be done, the committee was hopeful that the preparation would end in right time.Â
"There are a few things that need to be completed, few things that need to be done. We would keep monitoring closely, would closely work with the government of Kerala to make sure that all the readiness is there and all the compliance is there for the World Cup,"
Praising the local body, he said, “From sewage facilities to toilets, it's all been taken care of really well and that for me is very commendable.
Tracy Lu, project lead of Fifa U-17 World Cup 2017 expressed his contentment at the arrangements and said, "We are extremely happy with the progress we see here; from our last inspection a lot of development already taking place and that's extremely encouraging. The dressing rooms, for