A high-level FIFA delegation ratified Nehru Stadium, Fatorda as one of the venues for next year's mega event
The Goan Network
MARGAO
It's official. Nehru Stadium, Fatorda has been confirmed as the venue for the FIFA Under World Cup in 2017. The Nehru stadium is the third in the country to be ratified for the show piece event .
India won the bid to host the World Cup in December 2013 and 10 cities were short listed, out of which six were provisionally selected to be venues for the event that is scheduled for September -Ocotber next year. The World Cup’s official emblem was launched last month in Goa by Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
After visiting the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday, a 23-member high-level delegation comprising experts from FIFA and Local Organising Committee (LOC) ratified Goa as the venue for next year's mega event.
Goa hosted the AFC U 16 Championship, which helped it to get into very high infrastructure compliance levels and give us enough confidence to ratify it as a venue. Now it is the moment to start focusing on all operational aspects to ensure a flawless delivery of the event .
FIFA Project Lead for the U-17 World Cup, Tracy Lu expressed her satisfaction with the progression of preparation at the venue. "We were here in February last time and we are really pleased with the progress made here. The initiative taken by the owners of the facility is incredible and we are proud to be associated with them."
She further said the venue (Nehru Stadium, Fatorda) in fact has already been tested through the recently held AFC U-16 championship and what the reports suggest,they did a good job that adds to Goa credence and thus venue certainly deserves to be a venue for the India's first FIFA World Cup .
With Goa's culture and love for the beautifull game, Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar was ecstatic at the prospect of the state hosting the mega event.
Shrinivas Dempo vice president of All India Football Federation who was at the stadium was proud at the prospect of hosting India's first football World Cup in Goa. "I am delighted to know that Nehru Stadium is selected as the venue for FIFA U-17 World Cup. I wish to place on record deep appreciation for FIFA, AIFF and Government of Goa and all individuals who have worked hard to ensure this tournament is a huge success."
The FIFA delegation also visited the training grounds proposed for the next year's event – Tilak Stadium Vasco, Holy Trinity Ground Benaulim, GMC Stadium Bambolim and Utorda Ground. Goa become the third venue to get the go ahead from the FIFA.
