'Kolkata to turn into FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 HQ'

The city of Kolkata will turn into the headquarters of FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 as well as the main broadcasting centre to cater stories of the entire tournament to 209 countries, FIFA Head of Events Jaime Yarza
Said on Thursday during his visit to Kolkata.

After meeting the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat Nabanna, Yarza told reporters that they were happy with the venues and other infrastructure in the city to conduct the tournament successfully.

Expressing satisfaction over the work done at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Yarza said that the venue would turn into a top venue of the U-17 World Cup.

"The Yuva Bharati Krirangan will host the final match of the tournament. We are also trying to arrange the opening match of the tournament at the same venue," Yarza said.

A five-member FIFA delegation led by Yarza and member of local delegation and Tournament Director Javier Ceppi, accompanied by the West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, called on the chief minister Mamata Banerjee and briefed her about their experience on inspection of the venues here.

"The stadium will be ready by October, when we will come back to see the final arrangement," Yarza said.

A ten-member FIFA delegation earlier inspected the Yuva Bharati Krirangan at Salt Lake to review the planning and work done there. A nine-member local delegation accompanied the FIFA delegation during their inspection of the venues here.

Image: FIFA officials inspecting the venues for U-17 FIFA World Cup to be held in India. 

Photograph: AIFF Media