Football Association of Odisha (FAO) Honorary Secretary Sanjay Behera met All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel on Friday to discuss the chances to host 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup matches in Cuttack.
Behera has assured Patel that there would full support from the Government of Odisha, the Odisha Olympic Association and the Odisha Cricket Association, if the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack would be named as one of the venues for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India.
Cuttack is expecting to welcome a FIFA Inspection Team in January 2015 according to the Football Association of Odisha. The All India Football Federation had originally announced six host cities namely New Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Kolkata, Kochi and Guwahati to host the matches and it would be a suprise, if Cuttack would be added to the list.
Meanwhile, Praful Patel has stated that he would extend all sort of support to the Football Association of Odisha and assured that Odisha would be awarded the hosting rights for various AIFF tournaments in near future. The AIFF President has also promised the FAO that Cuttack would be considered as a candidate to host the Federation Cup.