KOCHI : Kochi has been ratified as a venue for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in India. The announcement was made after a FIFA delegation led by Tracy Lu, project lead for the tournament, inspected the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here today.
The mascot launch for the tournament will also be held in Kochi, which, according to the organising committee officials, has a special place in their plans.
The Kerala government has handed all the necessary documents, ranging from security to seating arrangements, to the FIFA team for them to have a satisfactory view of the progress being made in Kochi towards hosting the World Cup matches.
Kochi is expected to stage matches of one cluster, with prospects looking bright for one or two knockout matches as well.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) appointed tournament director Javier Ceppi made the announcement, with project director Joy Bhattacharjya, Kerala government-appointed nodal officer Mohammad Hanish, Kerala Football Association president KMI Mather and Lu in attendance.