Kolkata In The Running To Host 2017 U-17 World Cup Final

The FIFA Under-17 World Cup inspection committee on Thursday inspected the Salt Lake Stadium and termed the facility as ‘World class,’ hinting great chances for the city to host the 2017 Under-17 World Cup final.

In a media interaction, FIFA events Chief Jamie Yarza said, “We are really happy with the way things are progressing with this particular venue. It is a World class facility in a city, which is renowned for its love for football. There are a few amendments which need to be made, but overall the progress is going as per the plan. The local governing body and All India Football Federation are doing a great job here.”

A five-member FIFA delegation led by Yarza and member of local delegation and Tournament Director Javier Ceppi, accompanied by the West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, called on the chief minister Mamata Banerjee and briefed her about their experience on inspection of the venues here. 

"The stadium will be ready by October, when we will come back to see the final arrangement," Yarza said. 
A ten-member FIFA delegation earlier inspected the Yuva Bharati Krirangan at Salt Lake to review the planning and work done there. A nine-member local delegation accompanied the FIFA delegation during their inspection of the venues here.

The Salt Lake Stadium is one of six venues provisionally selected for cup matches, other being Goa, Kochi, Mumbai, Guwahati, and New Delhi.

With a capacity of 120,000, the Yuva Bharati Krirangan is the largest stadium in India. Reportedly, a total of 85,000 bucket seats will be installed in the stadium before the U-17 final. It was opened in 1984 and is one of the most prestigious stadiums of the country.