KOCHI: Football lovers will get a chance to catch a glimpse of the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy as it will reach Kochi on September 22. The U-17 organising committee members said the trophy will be exhibited at various places, so as to create excitement among soccer enthusiasts. The trophy will be exhibited on September 22, 23 and 24. The organising committee will also accord a reception to the trophy at a function to be held at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on Friday at 10.45 am. Sports Minister A C Moideen, Mayor Soumini Jain, MPs, MLAs and other civic administrators are slated to attend the function.
After the colourful reception featuring the traditional art forms of Kerala, the trophy will be exhibited at the stadium, which is the venue for the World Cup matches. The public will also get an opportunity to click pictures with the trophy.
On Saturday, the trophy will make its way to the Ambedkar Stadium where it will go on display between 11 am and 3 pm for school children. On Sunday, it will be taken to Vasco Da Gama Square in Fort Kochi to enthrall football lovers between 2 pm and 6 pm. This is for the first time India is hosting a FIFA World Cup and the national team is participating in it. The matches will kick off on October 6 at Navi Mumbai and Delhi. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host five matches of Group D, along with one match from Group C in the group stages.
Brazil, Spain and Germany will be among the teams in action at Kochi during the first round. The ground will also host a match each in the Round of 16 and the quarter-finals. The capacity of the Stadium was reduced to 41,748 by exempting the galleries.
soccer fever
The FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy will reach Kochi on Friday
The organising committee will accord a reception to the trophy at a function to be held at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on Friday
After the colourful eception featuring the traditional art forms of Kerala, the trophy will be exhibited at the stadium, which is a venue for World Cup matches