AIIF officials meet Sports Minister, discuss 2017 preparations

New Delhi: Preparing to host the 2017 under-17 World Cup, All India Football Federation officials paid a courtesy visit to new Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who assured them of full support in making the event a grand success.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das and Executive Committee member and I-League Vice-Chairman Ankur Dutta visited the just-appointed minister on his first day in office. During the half-an-hour meet yesterday, Sonowal assured all-out support from the government in 2017 when India would be hosting its maiden FIFA World Cup. "It was indeed a pleasure to meet the Sports Minister on his first day in office," Das told www.the-aiff.com. "I briefed him about the U-17 World Cup and he seemed very enthusiastic about it. He has assured full cooperation from the Government in making the mega event a grand success. A more detailed presentation on the U-17 World Cup and AIFF`s football plan in general will be given to the minister soon," he added. Echoing the General Secretary, Mr. who is from the same state of Assam as the Sports Minister, added: "The positive attitude of the Minister towards development of the sport will boost the sport as a whole. He is himself a football enthusiast and assured extensive support from the Government during the U-17 World Cup."