Hosting U-17 World Cup can transform women’s game in India: FIFA official

Sara Booth said Delhi will feel the “positive impact” of hosting a World Cup and lauded Delhi Football's collaborative effort with the AIFF to improve infrastructure for women’s development.

Published : Aug 04, 2020 18:15 IST , New Delhi

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will be India's second tryst with hosting a major FIFA event, having hosted the U-17 Men's World Cup in 2017.
The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will be India's second tryst with hosting a major FIFA event, having hosted the U-17 Men's World Cup in 2017.
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The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will be India's second tryst with hosting a major FIFA event, having hosted the U-17 Men's World Cup in 2017.

India staging the U-17 women’s World Cup in 2021 will play a significant role in boosting the image of the sport among girls in the country, says head of FIFA’s women’s competitions, Sara Booth.

Speaking at an e-summit organised by Football Delhi on Monday, Booth said Delhi will feel the “positive impact” of hosting a World Cup and lauded the state association’s collaborative effort with the national federation to improve infrastructure for women’s development.

READ: U-17 World Cup to be held in India from 17 Feb 2021

India hosted the U-17 men’s World Cup in 2017.

Indian player Dalima Chhibber said only a “better culture” can uplift women’s football and felt things were looking much better than what it was before.

“We need to develop the culture of girl’s football at the club level as well as school and college level. Participation of girls in football have significantly grown in Delhi in the last few years and with new competitions more girls will be encouraged to play football which was not the case when I started to play football in Delhi,” said Dalima.

Women’s football can only develop if it got “equal opportunity” like the men and Sweden’s U-23 national coach Yvonne Ekroth said a level playing field was the only way forward.

ALSO READ: Kritina Devi looking to forge own path at FIFA U17 Women's World Cup

That women needed to create space for themselves in both administration and coaching was emphasised by Lauren Duncan, the manager of the national team of South Africa.

“The condition of women’s football in South Africa is pretty similar to India. We need more females in administration and coaching to provide a more comfortable environment to players,” said Duncan.

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