Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
FATORDA: The Sports Authority of Goa Chief Engineer J.N. Chimbulkar on Tuesday informed that the FIFA’s Local Organising Committee has taken control of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda in preparation for the U-17 World Cup scheduled in October.
He said, “The State has already completed the ground work leaving aside some minor works. Inspections were done on a regular basis by SAG and FIFA’s Local Organising Committee to see that all the required parameters were met.”
Expressing happiness, Chimbulkar disclosed that the committee was satisfied with the work.
With 100 days to go, the State geared up for the World Cup. Nehru Stadium and the designated training grounds — GMC Bambolim Stadium, Benaulim, Tilak Maidan, Vasco and Utorda will play host to participating teams.
Speaking about the progress of preparations, Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee Javier Ceppi said, “With 100 days to go most of the facilities in Goa are looking good. There is finishing work going on currently, that we hope is done soon. The main concern has been the response of the crowd so far, as the ticket sales have been low. We hope that Goa picks up and that it justifies its status as one of the hotbeds for football in India.”
24 teams have qualified for the highly-anticipated event, with the AFC U-16 Championships (Asian qualifiers) held in Goa in September 2016.
Ratified as a venue back in October 2016, Goa will host one of the quarter-finals of the first FIFA tournament in the country.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup will take place in six cities from October 6 to 28.
