FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017: Kerala sports minister says infrastructure is in place in Kochi to host tournament

Kochi: Kochi is ready to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup matches with infrastructure in place at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kerala Minister for Industries and Sports AC Moideen said on Thursday. Giving details about preparations for the event, he said the FIFA authorities had expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made for the conduct of matches. [caption id=“attachment_3831445” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kochi.[/caption] Kerala also wanted to use the opportunity to showcase the state’s tourism, he added. An amount of Rs 47.33 crore had been spent on improving infrastructure facilities at the main venue and three practice grounds - Panampalli Nagar Sports Council Stadium, Maharajas College Stadium and Fort Kochi Stadium, the minister said. The state government in co-ordination with Sports Council had decided to accord a grand reception to the ’trophy’ on its arrival at the Jawaharalal International Stadium on 22 September. The trophy would be taken to different educational institutions till 24 September. A ‘Torch Relay’ would start from Kasargod led by the former international player IM Vijayan and current player CK Vineeth. When it was pointed out that West Bengal government had made arrangements for 5,000 students to watch each match Kolkata was hosting, Moideen said the state government would try to do something to accommodate students at concessional rates. Kochi would be hosting six qualifying matches, one pre-quarterfinal and one quarterfinal game of the tournament to be held from 6 to 28 October. The preliminary matches to be held in Kochi are Brazil vs Spain and South Korea vs Nigeria on 7 October, Spain vs Nigeria and South Korea vs Brazil on 10 October and Guinea vs Germany and Spain vs South Korea on 13 October. The pre-quarterfinal would be played on 18 October and the quarter-final on 22 October.