THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kochi will be fully equipped to host the FIFA Under-17 World Cup by the end of this month, the state government said on Wednesday. Preparations are nearing completion for the October tournament, a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
By June-end, the main and subsidiary venues will be fully ready for the matches. The meeting reviewed the progress of work on exterior beautification of the stadium, civil work, security arrangements and allied infrastructure. Civil works and electrification at the main venues and training grounds have been completed by the government, the Greater Cochin Development Authority and the district administration.
The four training venues - Maharaja’s College Ground, the Sports Academy Ground at Panampilly Nagar, Fort Kochi Ground and Parade Ground - have been elevated to FIFA standards.
Kochi will host eight matches of the tournament; two matches each on October 7, 10 and 12, one match on October 18 and a quarter final match on June 22. The other matches are being hosted at Mumbai, New Delhi, Goa, Guwahati and Kolkata.
Pinarayi instructed district authorities to complete the maintenance of roads, street lamps and garbage disposal works ahead of the tournament. Ministers A C Moideen, T M Thomas Isaac, G Sudhakaran and K T Jaleel were present.