India to bid for U-17 World Cup, govt assures support

India’s sports ministry will support the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to bid for the event.

Updated on: Jan 31, 2012, 24:21:58 IST

IANS | By HT Correspondent, New Delhi

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India is becoming a global destination for sport and it is now football’s turn if FIFA carries the vote for India to host the Under-17 World Cup in 2017. India’s sports ministry will support the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to bid for the event.

FIFA has asked the AIFF to bid for the Under-17 World Cup. The FIFA executive committee will decide on the hosts in March. AIFF secretary Kushal Das said the federation is preparing to submit the bid documents by March 15. As a host India can directly qualify for what would be its maiden U-17 World Cup. “We are preparing to submit a professionally worked out bid document. If India can convince the FIFA executive members, it will be the biggest tournament the sub-continent will be holding,” said Das.

“The government has to give a declaration to FIFA that it would support the tournament. The FIFA will also ask for tax exemptions and other relaxations in visa rules and foreign exchange,” said Das.

Sports minister Ajay Maken said, “In all such endeavours, the government is has always been supportive. But let us get the proposal officially.”

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