With just seven months to go for one of the world’s biggest football competition to kickoff in the State, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda has been gearing up to host the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in October.
Goa is among the five other venues — New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Kochi and Navi Mumbai –to host the sport’s third most important football tournament globally.
The Nehru Stadium, which underwent timely refurbishment from the time of Lusofonia Games, Indian Super League and AFC Cup 2016, is yet again undergoing continuous monitoring and maintenance and set to leave no stones unturned when the FIFA U-17 World Cup kicks off in Ocotber.
Stadium Manager Laxmidas Mangueshkar said, “At the moment ground levelling is going as per specified. The ground staff has been deputed to monitor the pitch conditions. The pitch has to be maintained as per the FIFA standards,”
The ground was recently inspected by LOC Rima Khann on February 21.
“Additional floodlights have been added too as per requirement. Landscaping too will be made in required areas outside field of play and the stadium area. “Some other equipment –lawn mower, ground leveller –have also been purchased last month,” he added.
Mangueshkar also said that the practice grounds – Benaulim ground, Tilak Maidan and Utorda ground – will be operational for maintenance from April 16.
He further added that he along with the team wants to give their best after working for additional hours to see that the work is completed on time .
SAG Executive Engineer Deepak Lotlikar said, “We have almost completed 90 per cent of the work. The remaining 10 per cent will be completed on time.”
Earlier Tournament Director Javier Ceppi during his visit at the stadium in October was impressed with the facilities and infrastructure and gave a nod to host the World Cup matches.
“Goa hosted the AFC U-16 Championship, which helped it get into very high infrastructure compliance levels and gives us enough confidence to ratify it as a venue for the Fifa U-17 World Cup India 2017. Now it is the moment to start focusing on all operational aspects to ensure a flawless delivery of the Event.” Ceppi commented.
FIFA U-17 World Cup India Project Lead Tracy Lu also appreciated on the work rate and infrastructure development of the stadium during her previous visit in October.
“We last inspected the venue in February 2016 and I am delighted to see the progress on all fronts over the last six months. The venue in fact has already been tested through the AFC U16 Championships and from what the reports suggest, they did a great job.
With the local organising committee on the right track completing major portion of the Nehru Stadium, this will surely impress the FIFA U-17 World Cup organising committee.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup is one of the major tournaments the country will host and the State has been tirelessly working to provide the best facilities to the players, fans and spectators. The tournament is scheduled to be played from October 6 to 28.
