Navi Mumbai’s D.Y.Patil Stadium shortlisted as a provisional venue for the U-17 FIFA World Cup

by Kaushal Shukla May 30, 2015

The D.Y. Patil Sports Academy Stadium in Navi Mumbai has been given the green light to host matches during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be conducted by India in 2017. The Navi Mumbai stadium is among the four centres, which has been given provisional approval to host matches in the 23-day event, which is expected be held between September-October.

Tournament Director Javier Cepii made this announcement during a press conference in a city hotel on Friday afternoon.

“The tournament’s local organising committee had a meeting last week and took this decision. D.Y. Patil Stadium is one of the four venues which we have shortlisted and given provisional approval subject to ratification in September 2016 on the basis of compliance with FIFA guidelines,” said Cepii.

Tournament director Javier Cepii said the D.Y. Patil Stadium was selected not only keeping in mind the arena and training facilities but also the interest among the people of Navi Mumbai.

Three other centres, Guwahati, Kolkata and Kochi have also been granted provisional approval and five other cities have been shortlisted to finalise the remaining two venues. They are Goa, Chennai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Pune and, two from among this five-strong list, would be given provisional approval in the near future.

Cepii also pointed that the stake-holders of the D.Y. Patil Stadium have to ensure that they start the work so as to fulfil the compliance criteria for final ratification. A FIFA team will do a final inspection in September 2016 when they will decide on the last two venues.

Dr. Vijay Patil, president of D.Y. Patil Sports Academy, who was present at the conference, assured the local organising committee that they would put their best foot forward to meet the criteria set by FIFA. “I also delighted that Navi Mumbai will host the World Cup. I thank All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Western India Football Association (WIFA) for the support. Now we have taken a huge responsibility on our shoulders and have to work collectively to make the tournament a huge success,” said Dr. Patil.

“It’s a historical day for Navi Mumbai and the country to get the opportunity to host this mega event and India’s representation in the World Cup excited me,” Dr. Patil further stated.

WIFA CEO, Henry Menezes was overjoyed that World Cup matches will be hosted in Maharashtra. “It is a great day for celebration. Now the excitement for hosting the World Cup gets even bigger. Economic boost, fans and large number of people will be coming down to Navi Mumbai to make it a success. The job has just begun and we should feel proud to be able to host the mega event, “an excited Menezes said.

The tournament will kick-off in September 2017 and will continue till October. The qualifying rounds will be held in May-June 2017. Hosts India will get a direct entry while 23 countries will go through the regular route. Four countries from Asia, six from Europe, four each from South America, North America and Africa, and one from Oceania will participate.