Under-17 World Cup is start of new era in Indian football: Sunil Chhetri

NEW DELHI: National captain Sunil Chhetri says winning the bid to host the 2017 Under-17 World Cup has heralded a "new era" in Indian football and the onus will now be on all stakeholders to ensure a successful tournament.

"It is definitely the start of a new era in Indian football," Chhetri, who recently became the country's highest scorer with 43 goals, said today.

"I think they (sponsors) will come in. I think it's massive. It's not a small thing, it's a big thing. From the government to the corporate house to the clubs to federation to the officials, it's all combined. For the money to come and the interest to grow, everybody has to work together. With the government coming in the money will automatically come in," he added.

On a landmark day for country's football, India beat South Africa, Ireland and Uzbekistan in the fight to host the 24-nation biennial event.

The decision to award the prestigious tournament to India was taken in FIFA's executive committee meeting in Salvador da Bahia in Brazil yesterday.

"I don't think about the reason (why FIFA has awarded the tournament to India). It's a huge thing. I am not focussing how much they (U-17 team) are going to achieve. I am happy that we got it. I just want the best kids of the country to be chosen. It's the first tournament of this scale to happen in the country.

Chhetri stressed on the need to have as many football academies as possible in the run-up to the mega event.