Biggest challenge is to get venues ready for U-17 WC: AIFF Secy

Asked if there would be a repeat of the organisational mess that dominated headlines in the lead-up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games, AIFF secretary Kushal Das said: "I don’t think there would be a repeat of what happened before the Commonwealth Games if everything is in process."

Tournament Director of FIFA U-17 World Cup JAvier Ceppi (left) and AIFF's General Secretary Kushal Das.

Getting the venues ready for the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 will be the biggest challenge, the All India Football Federation said today.

Asked if there would be a repeat of the organisational mess that dominated headlines in the lead-up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games, AIFF secretary Kushal Das responded in negative.

“I don’t think there would be a repeat of what happened before the Commonwealth Games if everything is in process. The biggest issue would be to get the venues ready in time,” Das said after AIFF officially flagged off India’s preparations for the U-17 World Cup.

Project Director Joy Bhattacharjya said the U-17 World Cup will be the most transparent international tournament in India.

India U-17 coach Nicolai Adam promised the team put up by the host nation in the tournament will not be an embarrassment.

“I can say that we will not be an embarrassment. To get out of the group stage, we will need four points. It will be tough but I believe in my team and my staff,” Nicolai said.

Tournament Director Javier Ceppi said the U-17 event will not just revolutionise Indian but world football also.

Nicolai said it was heartening to see all four Asian teams qualifying for the knockout stage in the last U-17 World Cup in Chile.

The mega event will be held from end September to 23rd October.