India to Host 2017 FIFA under-17 World Cup

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to the proposal for submitting guarantees sought by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) from the Government of India for their bid to host the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Under 17 World Cup Football Tournament in 2017 in India. 
•    The FIFA Under 17 World Cup is a prestigious event and would be held in India for the first time.
•    The AIFF have proposed holding of matches in five States, namely Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and one among the States of Assam, Goa and Kerala. 
•    While the expenditure for upgradation of stadium (Rs.95 crore) will be provided as additional central assistance to the State Governments, a sum of Rs. 25 crore is kept as a contingency to ensure smooth conduct of the tournament. 
•    AIFF and FIFA have agreed to bear the entire expenditure of hosting the tournament. The amounts required are to be raised through sponsorships and other commercial agreements. 
•    The proposed Under-17 World Cup would encourage more youngsters to participate in sports and also help develop the sport of football in the country. 
•    It will also promote tourism in the country. The event also has a lot of importance from the point of view of playing technique, training, coaching and competition exposure, etc., especially at under-17 level, and thus would be good for the future of football in India.
•    The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for the following decisions with regard to holding of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Under-17 World Cup to be held in India in 2017: -
(a)The venues are as under: 
1.JLN Stadium, New Delhi
2.D.Y. Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
3.JLN Stadium, Kochi    
4.Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata    
5.JLN Stadium, Fatorda Goa    
6.I.G. Stadium Guwahati 
A Committee comprising of Secretary, Department of Sports, DG, SAI and Financial Adviser, Dept. of Sports has been authorized to make necessary adjustments for any changes in venues to remove difficulties in consultation with All India Football Federation (AIFF) /FIFA. 
Expenditure towards overlays and equipment including display boards, etc. may be incurred. The total cost, however, will be within Rs.95 crore as approved earlier. 
In the eventuality of any additional requirement of funds, Department of Sports will take up the matter with the Department of Expenditure. 
The Sports Ministry has been authorized to constitute Organizing Committee, for conduct of the event.