The President of The All India Federation, Praful Patel on Wednesday reiterated the importance of all stakeholders coming together and working as a team for the success of FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in India next year.
“The Government of India has publicly expressed its complete support for the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017. As Chairman of the LOC, the body set up in November 2014 by FIFA to run the tournament, I believe that the support of Government of India is a vital ingredient to the success of the Event, which is why we had invited the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as Chief Patron of the Event.” he said.
While the World Cup would be the first time India would host an event of such magnitude, Patel, clearly buoyed by the government’s unstinting support, expressed his ambitions of bringing the FIFA Under 20 World Cup here next,
I will try and propose that (hosting of the FIFA U20 World Cup) when I meet the FIFA president next.Paful Patel
For that to happen though, the Member of Parliament from the
Upper House again stressed the importance of working cohesively towards the
success of the tournament.
“All of us need to do our bit to bring about a positive change for Indian football through the FIFA U-17 World Cup. We, as the LOC, have the responsibility of enabling this change. We are confident that the support of the Government of India will hugely aid the LOC and Indian football to fulfill these long term objectives for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.” Patel further added.
Remarking that it will be a historical moment for the country, he also appealed to the youth to come forward to help make it the biggest sporting extravaganza the nation has ever seen.
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