FIFA not worried by pace of India's football infrastructure development

FIFA backs India ahead of 2017 U-17 FIFA World Cup

New Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS) FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke Wednesday said the world football's parent body is not unduly concerned by the pace of sports infrastructure development in India having awarded the cricket-dominated country hosting rights for the Under-17 World Cup.

"No major concern for FIFA regarding India's development for the staging of the Under-17 World Cup. I spoke with the Indian sports minister about the general football infrastructure in the country. We have devised a plan and will stick to it.

"We still have three years to successfully host the World Cup. So there is time," Valcke said revealing that FIFA has helped the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) develop a strategic plan till 2017 for hosting the Under-17 World Cup in India.

He noted that since his last visit to the country nearly two years ago, things have changed for the better.

"Lot of development has taken place in India since my last visit nearly two years ago. The strategic plan will be a guideline and show AIFF the right path in its goal of successfully staging the World Cup."

He stressed that India's aim should be to develop its junior side that can perform positively in the World Cup, adding that FIFA views the youth tournament as a kick-off of new era of Indian football.

"As hosts, India's performance in the World Cup will be crucial. It is imperative that AIFF develops its youth team. The goal of the staging the World Cup in India is not to make money, but to develop football in the country. The process has started."

AIFF president Praful Patel spoke of India's plans to bid for the hosting rights of Club World Cup in 2017-18.

"We are working on preparing a bid for the hosting of Club World Cup in 2017-18 and will eventually bid for the Under-20 World Cup," Patel said at a press conference here.

Valcke, however, outlined that India's immediate aim should be regarding the successful hosting of the Under-17 World Cup.

"If India succeeds in successful staging of the World Cup, then only they should bid for the Under-20 World Cup," he said.

"AIFF will have to follow a stringent bidding process for the Club World Cup. FIFA's executive committee will decide the hosts for Club World Cup in December 2014."

He also pointed out that FIFA is not looking at helping AIFF developing moderate capacity stadia for the World Cup, stressing on the point that playing in front of empty stadia won't help India's cause of progress in the sport.

"We (FIFA) do not support the idea of building big stadiums. We are focusing on helping AIFF develop 25,000-capacity stadiums for the Under-17 World Cup," the Frenchman said.

Patel said the initial crowd response for the ISL matches have been good, observing that 25,000-30,000 capacity stadium are ideal for all football events in the country.