AIFF’s plan for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup gets SAI’s nod of approval

The tournament is the latest global event to be hosted in the country.

With the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2020 just over a year from commencing, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has created a proper plan for the India U-17 women’s team heading into the tournament. This plan has also received a seal of approval from the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

India was handed the U-17 Women’s World Cup 2020 hosting rights earlier in March, when Gianni Infantino announced as such at a FIFA Council meeting. After the FIFA U-17 World Cup was deemed a success back in 2017, this will be only the second FIFA tournament to have ever taken place in the country.

Most of the stadiums and infrastructure used for the Men’s 2017 World Cup is expected to be utilized for the 2020 edition as well. The AIFF is also planning to ensure that the girls who will participate in the tournament will be ready to give a proper fight against the World’s best.

Like they did for the men’s team back in 2017, the AIFF is also planning to ensure that the girls get proper exposure to hold their own in the World Cup. A budget of just over ₹14 crore was reportedly proposed and after it was submitted to SAI for approval, it has been given the green light.

The major chunk of that budget will be allocated for the exposure tours of at least six or seven countries prior to the tournament next year. The young girls will take part in many international matches to get themselves prepared for the tournament. India will also host a four-nation tournament just prior to the U-17 Women’s World Cup next year, which will be to ensure the girls are prepared for the action.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das spoke to Goal on the development and said, “We are very thankful to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and SAI for their great support to Indian football.”

“We have a very progressive Sports Minister (Kiren Rijiju), Secretary of Sports (Radhey Shyam Julaniya) and the new Director-General of SAI (Sandip Pradhan). Indian sports is in good hands,” he further reiterated.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

The same budget will also cover the expenses of a coaching camp in India, while the AIFF have received a green light from SAI to host a U-17 international tournament prior to the World Cup for the girls to get some necessary practice.

The budget will also cover all the expenses of the overseas and Indian coaching contingent and will also be put towards attaining world-class equipment for the team as well.