India confirmed as hosts of 2016 AFC U-16 championships

The Asian Football Confederation have officially confirmed India as hosts of the 2016 AFC U-16 Finals. It was more than a year back in May 2014 that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had first expressed its interest in hosting the continental championship. The AIFF believes the championship is a perfect build up to India hosting the 2017 U-17 FIFA World Cup. [caption id=“attachment_2275434” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] It was more than a year back in May 2014 that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had first expressed its interest in hosting the continental championship. Reuters[/caption] Speaking on the occasion, AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said, “The AFC U-16 Championship will enable our national team to gain valuable experience before 2017 while also giving us a great opportunity to test our organisational capabilities before the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017.” Furthermore, the Indian U-16 national team will also be participating in the AFC U-16 Qualifiers in September 2015, the draw for which will be held on 5 June 5 in Malaysia. “India as host nation have already qualified — but the team will still be participating in the qualifiers to give them maximum international exposure in the lead up to the tournament,” a statement on the AIFF website said. Meanwhile, Bahrain will host the AFC U-19 Championship 2016 Finals.