Author(s): Dr. Vijay Bahadur Singh Bisht

Abstract:

India will be hosting its maiden FIFA tournament ‘FIFA under 17 World Cup 2017’ from October 6^th to 28^th across six cities. By virtue of being the host, India is an automatic qualifier for the tournament, this way India got a chance to play in its maiden FIFA world cup tournament. Football is the most popular sport on this planet but sadly reputation of India in world football is near pathetic. Currently India stands at 100^th place in FIFA ranking which is India’s best ranking in period of more than two decades. FIFA too is interested in rejuvenating football in India as FIFA can’t afford to ignore second biggest population of the world. Organizing FIFA U17 World Cup in India is a part of FIFA’s plan to boost football in India from junior level and help India to grow and come in main stream of world football. FIFA U17 World Cup has opened a flood of expectations and hopes not only for India but for FIFA also. This FIFA U17 World Cup It may help Indian players to get recognized worldwide as they will be visible to the world audience and they will get opportunity to play alongside the best youth football talents from powerhouse of world football such as Brazil, England, France, Germany, Spain, Chile, Colombia, Mexico etc. and same time it also will be a great opportunity for India to prove its capabilities to organize sports event of global magnitude. For Indian fans also it will be a lifetime opportunity to witness future global superstars of world football evolving on Indian soil. During this tournament many agents of many top clubs from different parts of the world will be in India to screen through the talents and for Indian players it will be a massive opportunity to display their talent and get noticed. If one or two players may get scouted by the foreign clubs, it will open the new horizon of hopes for Indian players. Success of this event can bring a positive change the approach of Indian people towards football. A big football revolution is waiting to happen in India. FIFA U17 World Cup has potential to make football a household game in India. It can further encourage the governments and corporate to nurture and sponsor football and invest more and more in football. Better football education, stadia, training facilities, better sport managers and rejuvenated passion for football in the India could be some of the lasting legacies of the FIFA U17 World Cup.

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