U-17 FIFA World Cup organisers buoyed by PM Narendra Modi's repeated encouragement

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's encouragement has boosted the confidence of U-17 World Cup's organising committee and tournament director Javier Ceppi says the government's involvement in the event next year will play a major role towards creating a football revolution in India.

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) set up by AIFF is working in tandem with the Government of India to ensure that the event becomes a massive success.

The PM, after inaugurating a multi-purpose sports complex in Jammu & Kashmir, said that the opportunity of hosting a FIFA World Cup will be an energy booster among the youth of India.

Ceppi said, "This reflects the continued support that the government of India is giving FIFA U-17 WC India 2017. The fact that the PM of the country is repeatedly talking about the tournament is a clear indication that the event is much more than just a sporting competition.

"This is a unique opportunity to create a youth revolution in the country and the LOC has very comprehensive plans that have been discussed and agreed upon with govt. of India to make this revolution happen and to take football to the whole nation.

"Although the event will happen in six states, the plan is that all the youth of India can experience football and we are very much in sync with the government to turn this into reality."

Modi was on a day-long visit to Katra to inaugurate a hi-tech Super Speciality Hospital, Sports Complex and address the Fifth Convocation of Shri. Mata Vaishno Devi University.