Government approves AIFF's bid to host the Under 17 world cup in 2017

Good news for soccer fans in India. The central government finally approved the All India Football Federation's  (AIFF) bid to host the Under 17 world cup. 

The earlier bid submitted by AIFF was rejected by Federation Internationale de Football Association  (FIFA) as it was not backed by the government guarantee.  This is ideally a case where the tournament organizers would need to show the proof of funds in order to run the tournament smoothly. Though the tournament itself would be funded by FIFA and the AIFF, the host football body has to ensure that the infrastructure would be world class as per the international standards. The money for the tournament would be raised through sponsorship.

The government has given assurance to a sum of Rs 95 crores to ramp up the infrastructure and a floater of Rs 25 crores for contingencies. 

What was significant about India's bid is that it is being supported by the FIFA president Jerome Valcke. 

Till now uncertainty loomed large over India's bid as FIFA, world football's governing body, needed guarantees on tax exemption, security, transport and accommodation of players, visa and foreign exchange. 

The AIFF has proposed holding of matches in five states -- Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and one among the states of Assam, Goa and Kerala. 

Now that brings me to an interesting question, the centers for soccer in India are West Bengal, Goa, Kerala and North East. Surprisingly only two of these areas will be actually hosting the matches. Delhi is not even popular as a soccer venue. But looks like the Government was motivated by the availability of infrastructure to host such an event. In that list Delhi would have come out on tops.

But I still feel hosting the tournament in the Mecca states could be a trigger to build infrastructure and develop the game to ensure India takes its rightful place as a soccer power house.

In conclusion though we have entered a successful bid India still has to beat countries like South Africa, Ireland and Uzbekistan to win the right to host. Will we win that only time shall tell, until then there is only hope.