Praful Patel, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), may be nurturing ambitions of India qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but if anything in the nearby reality be sought, FIFA itself is eager to provide India a chance to host up the 2017 Under-17 World Cup. This on a day when India kissed its lowest ever world ranking- 169- and is even below Nepal and Maldives in the same rank list. It was this positive prospect from FIFA’s Secretary General Jerome Valcke that made the day for the AIFF Officials. He believes that AIFF is proceeding in the right track, and a strong football base shall only exist if the provided facilities at the grassroot level are top class.
Preceding this came Patel’s acknowledgement of FIFA’s project — from 2012 to 2022 — which’ll help India to stand its place at the international level. AIFF has a blueprint all ready for development of football in India, and FIFA is seriously considering to implement the 10-year project. Though the commitment for U-17 event wasn’t particularly made, but Valcke poured enough hints that FIFA considered Asia (specifically India) as an emerging football market. Patel appeared satisfied with Valcke’s response and assured that India shall submit the U-17 hosting bid very soon in the coming days.
Praful Patel, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), may be nurturing ambitions of India qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but if anything in the nearby reality be sought, FIFA itself is eager to provide India a chance to host up the 2017 Under-17 World Cup. This on a day when India kissed its lowest ever world ranking- 169- and is even below Nepal and Maldives in the same rank list. It was this positive prospect from FIFA’s Secretary General Jerome Valcke that made the day for the AIFF Officials. He believes that AIFF is proceeding in the right track, and a strong football base shall only exist if the provided facilities at the grassroot level are top class.
Preceding this came Patel’s acknowledgement of FIFA’s project — from 2012 to 2022 — which’ll help India to stand its place at the international level. AIFF has a blueprint all ready for development of football in India, and FIFA is seriously considering to implement the 10-year project. Though the commitment for U-17 event wasn’t particularly made, but Valcke poured enough hints that FIFA considered Asia (specifically India) as an emerging football market. Patel appeared satisfied with Valcke’s response and assured that India shall submit the U-17 hosting bid very soon in the coming days.