All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel has released a message in reaction to India winning the bid to host the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The message by the AIFF President:

I’m extremely thankful to the FIFA Executive Committee for keeping their faith on us and granting India the right to host the 2017 U-17 World Cup. FIFA has been extremely supportive of All India Football Federation’s ambitions and taking Indian Football to the World level. Both, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and FIFA Secretary General, Mr. Jerome Valcke have always been huge supporters of Indian Football.

I would also like to thank the Government of India and the Ministry of Sports for giving us all the necessary guarantees without which we wouldn’t have been able to bid for the U-17 World Cup.

However, the real challenge begins now. Together with all stakeholders we need to host it in the best possible manner and set an example for all to follow. At the same time, we understand the need to be competitive in the Tournament.

The Academies and Grassroot Project set up by AIFF has already made an impact and with the guidance of our Technical Team headed by Technical Director Mr. Robert Baan, we would be embarking on a detailed plan to build a competitive U-17 Indian National Team.

For a Country like India, the priority stays to make a mark on the World stage and the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosting rights could not have come at a better time. The very fact that our boys will be getting a chance to rub shoulders with the best of the World is amazing. The overall infrastructure of the Country will also be improved to be at par with the International standards which will benefit Indian Football immensely.

Hosting a Tournament of such stature will also help galvanise the face of Indian Football among the masses and youth of India. At the moment, Football is popular in certain pockets in India. With the U-17 World Cup taking place, the popularity will surely grow and the mission of making Football a pan-India sport will be realised.