Mumbai: Setting aside all the impediments the All India Football Federation of India is going through, there is good news amidst them, as the country will host the women’s FIFA under-17 world Cup in the month of September-October 2020. Talking to Free Press Journal, Kushal Das General Secretary at All India Football Federation (AIFF) from Delhi said that this is bog move by the AIFF and it will give a boost to the women’s football in the country. “Yes, it is something we wanted to bid for after we successfully conducted the FIFA under-17 men’s championship, this contest will enhance the women in our country, and we are every happy we got the bid through,” said Das.
With the infrastructure already intact, after the men’s under-17 World Cup in the year 2017, the AIFF has hit the bulls eye in getting to host the women’s contest in the country. “We have the stadiums ready, and we could also look out for some new venues, in Goa, North east and Kerala as the game is popular in that part of our country, we will coime out with the venus very soon,” said Das about the venues. After men made history playing in the FIFA world Cup for the first time in history, the women of our country will also follow the suite as they will also take part in the championship as we are the host country, added Das.
“We are thankful to FIFA for giving the right to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup. This will raise the profile of women’s football in the country,” said the AIFF secretary. “We have been giving a lot of emphasis on the development of women’s football in the country. So we bid for the U-17 Women’s World Cup and now we have got it,” he added. This was announced by International Football Federation (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino announced, in Miami in US.
The FIFA president stated that, “We (FIFA) are delighted to announce that India has been confirmed as the host of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2020,” after the FIFA Council meeting in Miami, USA on late Friday night. The bidding process for the tournament started last year. France had also expressed interest to host the tournament. As host country, India automatically qualifies for the 16-team showpiece event. The six continental qualifying tournaments are yet to begin.
Super Cup drama
“We will keep the windows open for the protesting teams to come out and play their matches till the last week of this months and the AIFF committee who have been specified to look into such matter will take their call on the teams,” said Das about the Super Cup which has faced rough waters in recent times. “It would be difficult for me to to say what action the committee will take against the teams, but there will be something for which the teams will have to pay for the all that has happened,” stated the AIFF secretary about the punishment the protesting team could face.
