iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
The union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the hosting the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Under 17 Women’s World Cup 2022 in India.
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 is scheduled to be held in India between 11 and 30 October 2022. The seventh edition of the biennial youth tournament will be the first-ever FIFA women’s competition to be hosted by India.
Carrying on the legacy from the FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Cup 2017, the nation is preparing for a seminal moment for women’s football when the best young female footballers from across the world showcase their skills to lift the coveted trophy.
A financial outlay of $ 100 million assistance to the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) for the field of play maintenance, stadium power, energy and cabling, stadia, and training site branding will be met from the budgetary allocation.
“The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 has the potential to strengthen women’s football in the country,” said a statement issued by the cabinet. The cabinet hopes to achieve certain objectives by hosting the international event: Increase representation of women in football leadership and decision-making bodies inspire more girls to play football in India, advocate for gender-inclusive participation by normalizing the concept of an equal game from a young age, provide an opportunity to improve football standards for women in India and improve the commercial value of the women’s game.
“The FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup is a prestigious event and would be held for the first time in India. It would encourage more youngsters to participate in sports and help develop the sport of football in India. The event will not only promote football as a sport of choice among Indian girls but is also poised to leave a lasting legacy that will facilitate girls and women in the country to embrace football and sports in general,” the government of India said in a statement.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is the world championship for female players under or up to the age of 17, organized by FIFA. The event started in 2008 and is traditionally held in even-numbered years. The 6th edition of the event was held in Uruguay from 13 November to 1 December 2018.
Spain is the reigning champion of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup. FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 will be the 7th edition of the tournament in which 16 teams, including India, will participate.
The AIFF has proposed to hold matches in 3 venues: Bhubaneshwar, Mumbai, and Goa. India successfully hosted the FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Cup India-2017 at 6 different venues – New Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, and Kolkata from 6 to 28 October 2017.