FIFA U-17 World Cup a resounding success for India

“In terms of organisation, the infrastructure, the attendance and conduct of the games is a reflection of the fact that India has arrived at the World stage,” Patel, also the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee stated at a press meet in Kolkata.

“This success only points out that if we can host the U-17 World Cup we are ready for other FIFA tournaments as well. I need to thank the Government of India, the respective state governments and FIFA.

“Besides giving us the confidence that we are capable to host such a World Cup, it also gives us an understanding that we can actually build a world-class Indian team with our boys,” Patel added.

“The World Cup has caught the imagination of the kids and youngsters and you can gauge it by the attendance in the stands. There have also been a huge number of ladies who have turned up for the matches.

"We have invested much into our Grassroots Development Programme and will continue to attract the kids to the game,” Patel, sporting an U-17 World Cup shirt maintained.

“The semi-final was shifted from Guwahati overnight and we had a huge number of people trying online to get a ticket for the semi-final in Kolkata. It’s a reflection of how people in India are rooting for football.”