Delhi government joins hands with FIFA for U-17 World Cup

New Delhi: Delhi government on Friday joined hands with FIFA for the Under 17 Football World Cup, which is to be held in August-September 2017 in India.

A senior official said that the government decided, in principle, to join hands after a delegation of FIFA and AIFF members met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia here today.

The delegation comprised of Javier Ceppi, Tournament Director, FIFA U17 World Cup, Joy Bhattacharjya, Project Director, and Kushal Das, General Secretary AIFF.

In total six states would host the FIFA Under 17 World Cup event including Delhi. The delegation sought two stadiums from the Government of Delhi for the event. These two stadiums would be used for the tournament. Before using the two, both the stadiums would be developed to match the FIFA level grounds.

Talking to the delegation, the Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the Education Minister of Delhi said, "We want to develop good talents in football, good football grounds in schools, a taste for playing football. We are joining hands not only for the event, but to develop the sporting culture for the youth."

The Government looks at building up football and talent development with the help of the junior tournament. It also hopes to strike a right mix of education and sports in the kids since their school days. The Deputy Chief Minister also sought help of the football federation to develop the game in the Delhi Government schools, the official said.

The delegation said that through the event participation in football would increase; they also told that they would be taking several measures to attract the youngsters and the youth of Delhi to the game of football around the tournament and later also. Promotion of the game in schools and the event was also promised by the delegation.

Official also said that in line with its thought of education through sports, the government of Delhi has agreed to partner with FIFA Under 17 World Cup and looks forward to achieve the target of a better sporting culture in Delhi soon.

The Sports Task Force of the Delhi Dialogue Commission (DDC) is also in touch with several leading clubs globally to help create a better sporting culture in Delhi.