MARGAO: Goa is amongst the six provisional venues for the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the State is gearing up in all aspects to be allotted marquee matches but the crowd turnover at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda will play a key role.
The decision will be taken based on the readiness and willingness of the venues. Readiness is shown by meeting all the requirements ahead of the deadlines and willingness is shown by the support the tournament and football gets in each venue.
Recently, FIFA satisfactorily culminated their six-day tour of India to inspect the provisional venues and the delegation strongly believed that the country has the potential to become a strong footballing nation.
Tournament Director of Local Organizing Committee (LOC), FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, Javier Ceppi believes that Goa has the potential to host an event of such high magnitude.
“We had a very good inspection of all the provisionally selected venues so far (Goa, Guwahati, Kochi, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai and New Delhi) and FIFA was extremely pleased with all the planning that has gone into it. Now it is the time for the central government and all the State governments to deliver their contractual obligations to meet all of the FIFA requirements in their venues. Only after this happens, we can start thinking about which venues deserve to host the marquee matches, such as the final, semi-finals, quarter-finals and the opening match,” stated Javier Ceppi in an exclusive interview.
The Indian Super League has certainly been a hit in Goa as fans throng the Nehru stadium to cheer FC Goa. The stadium witnesses full capacity of over 18,000 spectators with many others unable to get their hands on tickets as they are sold out in hours online. However, the major concern arises for the I-League as there are hardly thousand fans to cheer home teams Sporting Clube de Goa and Salgaocar FC. Both the league matches mostly kick off at 7 p.m.
“We watch all the domestic matches including ISL, I-League, Santosh Trophy and others, so the venues must show that the crowd support can step up to any condition put forth. At the end of the day, we want full stadiums and the venues that can better provide that, will be better looked upon for marquee matches. Also, Goa is hosting the AFC U-16 Championship this September-October, which is the real test for the Indian team that will play in the World Cup. We expect Goans to come in masses to the stadium not only to support India in the AFC U-16 Championship, but also all the matches for the AFC U-16, that also will give an indication of the willingness of Goa to receive marquee matches for the World Cup,” Ceppi added.
When asked on the type of control, conditions when the Stadium will be taken over by FIFA, Ceppi informed that, “The grounds in the country in connection with the event will be taken over by April 2017, to ensure that the maintenance of the field of play is top notch. If there are competitions happening on the grounds after April 2017, the organizers of the competitions will have to ensure that they will keep the grounds up to the standards that we require and that the field of play is given to us in pitch perfect condition to start our process of maintenance.”
FIFA will take over the Nehru stadium in between the I-League 2017 and ISL 2017, so it will have no effect on either of the competitions. AIFF Vie-President and co-owner of FC Goa, Srivnivas Dempo who was present during the inspection has ensured guarantee of the pitch. THE LOC has also held initial discussions with Sporting Clube de Goa as it their home venue for the I-League.
“We have already spoken to Dempo about the maintenance standards that we expect for the ground for ISL 2016 and he is completely supportive and has ensured that FC Goa will do its best to maintain the field of play up to that standard. We have also had initial discussions with Sporting Clube de Goa for the maintenance during the 2017 I-League and they are aware of the fact that the maintenance from their end would have to be top notch, should they want to use Fatorda as their stadium for the 2017 I-League. In that way, the LOC is trying to find the best solution possible for both the leagues, bearing in mind that usage should not come at a risk of affecting the condition of the field of play of PJN Fatorda for the World Cup,” informed Ceppi, who has vast experience after being involved in the U-17 World Cup in UAE in 2013.
Ceppi feels this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for Indian football and fans. Goans are passionate and knowledgeable about football.
“The future stars of the World will come and represent their countries and try to win a World Cup, considering that people like Neymar, Ronaldinho, Casillas, Xavi, Iniesta, Buffon, Kroos, James Rodriguez, Sterling, Philippe Coutinho, Luis Figo and many others have actually started their careers on a U-17 World Cup. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Goans,” concluded Ceppi.
