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India to host 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Xinhua, November 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

The 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be hosted by India.

   At the end of the final game of Chile 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the authorities from the Chilean Organizing Committee delivered a symbolic baton to Javier Ceppi, Director of the tournament at India, and to Kushal Das, Secretary General of the Indian Federation and member of the Organizing Committee.

   "This is a very important opportunity for the Indian and the world soccer," said Ceppi.

   This is the first time India will organize and participate in a FIFA World Cup.

   "We are talking about 1.25 billion people, it is a huge market with lots of soccer fans. We seek a great impact with this tournament," added Ceppi.

   Ceppi is Chilean and has been in India one year to organize the 2017 championship. "It will be the largest sports event in the history of India. They have organized the Cricket World Cup and a Floor Hockey one, but this will be the first time so many countries will try to qualify. The event will be seen in 200 countries, this is unprecedented and we are anxious," he added.

   He also said the 2017 U-17 World Cup expects to bring some 11 million children close to soccer, 2.8 million people to be at the stadiums, other 300 million people to know the game and 600 million people to watch it on television. "This will change the history of soccer in this country," Ceppi affirmed.  Endi