FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke suggested that India should use the opportunity of hosting the 2017 under-17 World Cup to build a national team that can qualify for the 2022 World Cup. He also added that it is vital to improve the I-League, says a report in The Hindu.
“India is a key market. We have a 10-year understanding with the AIFF. We share a long term vision, and will implement it,” said Valcke.
Valcke hoped that I-League will someday be like something like the English Premier League.
Meanwhile, The Hindustan Times reports that FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said that India must adhere to the strict criteria to get the opportunity to host the 2017 U-17 World Cup.
The report says that AIFF is likely to submit the bid before the next FIFA executive committee meeting on September 26-27.
Valcke said, “Obviously, the infrastructure will have to be top class, the six venues needed for the tournament will have to be the best. We need security guarantee from the government and then guarantees for accommodation, transport and airport facilities.”
“At the end of the day, for those young players taking part, this will have to be ‘the’ tournament for them. It does not matter where it is being held. So naturally, if India fails to satisfy the strict criteria, it will not host the event,” Valcke added.