NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the signing of guarantees for the hosting of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022.
Financial outlay of Rs 10 crore assistance to All India Football Federation (AIFF) for Field of play Maintenance, Stadium power, Energy & Cabling, Stadia & Training Site Branding etc. will be met from the budgetary allocation for the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs).
The U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 has potential to strengthen women’s football in the country. Carrying on the positive legacy from the Under 17 Men’s World Cup 2017, the nation is preparing for a seminal moment for women’s football when the best young female footballers from across the world will be showcasing their skills to lift the coveted trophy.
Several objectives have been contemplated in order to leave behind a positive legacy. Firstly, increasing the representation of women in football leadership and decision-making bodies; inspire more girls to play football in India; advocate for gender-inclusive participation by normalizing the concept of the equal game from a young age; opportunity to improve football standards for women in India; improve the commercial value of the women’s game.
The Under-17 Women’s World Cup is a prestigious event and would be held for the first time in India. It would encourage more youngsters to participate in sports and help develop the sport of football in India. The event will not only promote football as sport of choice among Indian girls, but is also poised to leave a lasting legacy that will facilitate girls and women in the country to embrace football and sports in general.
Spain is the current Under-17 Women’s World Cup champion. The U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 will be the 7th edition of the tournament in which 16 teams, including India as host nation, will participate.
The AIFF has proposed holding of the competition matches in 3 venues namely; (a) Bhubaneshwar; (b) Navi Mumbai and (c) Goa. India successfully hosted the Under-17 Men’s World Cup India-2017 at 6 different venues namely New Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Goa, Kochi and Kolkata in the country from October 6-28, 2017.
AIFF acting general secretary Sunando Dhar said, “We are very thankful to the government for their support. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, under the guidance of Hon’ble Minister, Shri Anurag Thakur Ji, has been very proactive with its support for the tournament, and this move by the Union Cabinet resonates with the same positive sentiment.”
“With the assistance and encouragement that we have received from all our stakeholders, we are surely on course to hosting an incredible tournament.” he further added.
The draw for the tournament was recently conducted and India is slated to play all their group matches at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Pre sales of the tickets has already started for the tournament and the Official Ticket Launch for the mega event is scheduled on 5th August.
