ome October and India will be witnessing one of the world’s biggest football extravaganza, as the nation gears up to host its first-ever FIFA event—the U-17 World Cup. The even will be held between October 6 and 28.
While the 24 participation nations are eager in sending their best playing squad to our country, the football fraternity in India awaits to welcome, watch and cheer the young talented footballers.
The world is influenced and affected by FIFA events. Beside the fans going gaga, big clubs scouts will be busy checking out probable talent from the world’s best U-17 player. Even the media, which is pragmatic, turn towards the fields —there is no exceptions as ‘Football Takes Over’. Everyone wants to be associated with the best! and the same is happening in India —the cricket crazy nation is turning into the football frenzy country.
FIFA U-17 World Cup is India’s first step towards attaining their dream and desire of getting the FIFA World Cup to our land.
JOY ACROSS 6 VENUES!
Despite being an age group event, the FIFA U-17 World Cup will be a cup full to the brim with talent, excitement and entertainment. The 52 matches would be joyously shared by six venues across India.
The Government has left no stones unturned as they have supported and provided the best of the facilities to host its first ever football World Cup which will be played across —Vivekananda Yuba Bharti Krirangan (VYBK), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi, DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nerhu Stadium, Fatorda, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi.
The State Government has revamped the stadiums, providing world class facilities and developing the venues to a state-of-an-art.
CHANCE FOR RECORD
The FIFA U-17 World Cup doesn’t boast much of high attendance in the past with only the inaugural edition played in China in 1985 marking highest attendance during the entire tournament with an average attendance of 38,468. The tournament played Egypt in 1997 witnessed second highest average attendance with 19,781 spectators.
India has already broken the volunteer record with over 1,500 selected across the six venues for the U-17 WC, however, this being the India’s first FIFA event, there are chances that India has the perfect opportunity to record highest attendance too, if not, they have an easy chance to be at least the second best.
Goa yet to go ‘gaga’
Football comes with vigour, passion and glamour. The State has great roots and history in the Indian football. From footballers to football fans, one can find them at every Tinto as Goa breathes football.
Goa has one of the biggest fan followings for the English Premier, Spanish La Liga and German Bundesliga. Football screenings transfer market talks and rumours are most talked event by Goans on social media, but little has been spoken about the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The State, which recently celebrated five years on declaring football as the State sport, will host its first FIFA game on October 7 which will be played between Germany and Costa Rica, at Fatorda Stadium. Yet, there has been no excitement seen in the locals about the same.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy unveiling at Fatorda Stadium on Friday witnessed more volunteers and media persons than the general public. The organising committee saw turn of events –from CM Manohar Parrikar turning down the ceremony at the eleventh hour to finding another dignitary to unveil the trophy — which saw delay in the ceremony by almost two hours. The fans were absent as well. Seems like none are aware of what’s happening in the State regarding the U-17 World Cup.
Empty stands a concern
The 19,000 odd seating capacity Stadium has been jam-packed during the Indian Super League. But the absence of football fever during the age group events have been a great concern in the State.
The empty stands at the Nehru Stadium during the U-16 AFC Champions held in September 2016 raised a serious concern among the authority. Even during India’s matches, the crowd failed to stand up with just over 2,500 odd spectators turning up for their final group match.
This could be one of the reason Goa were denied to host marquee matches, with the quarterfinal being the last match to be played in the State. A visit to the Fatorda Stadium shows that Goa is all set to host the games. Goa might be dressed but as of now there seems to be no guests. With the Stadium having the least siting capacity of 19k, it’s time Goans decided and gear up to fill the stadium.
Lack of marketing strategies
With just over three weeks for the tournament to kick off, the football fever has failed to fire up in the State. Could this be the reason due to the poor marketing strategies practised by the the organisers.
When ‘the beautiful game’ dressed with glamour, glitz and spin it will surely entice and glitter further make it more appealing which will draw fans and football enthusiasts not only from the State but also the local tourists. Clever marketing strategies would help a mass conversion in in the State —converting the least interested and even will help to whip up more football fever in the football faithfuls.
Little do the kids know about the teams which will play in Goa. while many would want to know about the it, the Local Organising Committee has failed to market, promote and brand it’s event in Goa.
Many locals and football experts were in the opinion that the schools should have been targeted in promoting the event besides LOC should have brought few yesteryears stars in Goa as well to boost the World Cup vibes as other states witnessed some footballing legends such as Morientas, Carlos Valderrama, Carlos Puyol.
Still time for the
promotional activities?
However, when contacted a member from the Local Organising Committee, speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source said, “If the marketing and branding would have been done two-three months prior there were chances that the vibes would phase out soon. So we though of marketing and branding the event in the final month.
“We will manage to get people to the Stadium. the same was spoken when Goa didn’t have ticket sale but we have decent sales after we began counter sale of tickets,” the source added.
“By the time Fatorda hosts the first match, you will surely witness the Stadium fuller than one expected. Goan are slow but they won’t be late,” he concluded.
Involvement of State football association
FIFA U-17 World Cup is organised in the State by the Sports Authority of Goa along with Local Organising Committee which has been appointed directly by FIFA.
However, its the Goa Football Association, the AIFF affiliated body for football in the State, which looks after the running of ‘the beautiful game’ here in Goa, has been given little importance by the organising committee.
“Most of the members in the LOC aren’t from GFA. It would have been great if FIFA would have initiated and considered few members in the LOC from GFA, which would surely help boost the event in the State,” said a source from the Goa Football Association.
Who understands the football in Goa than the State association, it would have been a plus point for the organising committee if worked in sync with GFA in dealing with marketing and promotional activities for the event.
Need to fire up the football fever
What better opportunity for the young, old, rich and poor to cherish and live a one-time moment to watch the budding and future stars of the world football dribble and make their way at Fatorda Stadium from October 7.
With the current scenario, its doesn’t feel as if Goa will host FIFA event.
We need to show to the world upcoming players that there is much craze for the beautiful game in India and Goa aswell. With ISL taking over, we need to create great footballing atmosphere in the State and the stadium so that the budding talent go back home with great moments remembering the vociferous and terrific Goan crown which might surely influence to come back again in years to come, may be not representing their country but donning one of Indian club jersey.
