The government officially handed over the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor to FIFA ahead of the Under-17 World Cup beginning on October 6.
A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, the State government’s nodal officer for the event, along with M.C. Joseph, the secretary of the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), handed over the agreement to Roma Khanna, head of venue operations of the world cup’s local organising committee, at a function held at the press conference hall of the stadium.
GCDA chairman C.N. Mohanan, and Kerala Football Association president K.M.I. Mather attended.
An official release said the government had handed over the main stadium and four training grounds prepared for the world cup event to FIFA.
Remaining work
Ms. Khanna said FIFA needed the support of the government for the success of the event. Mr. Mohanan said the remaining works at the stadium would be completed immediately.
The government had the responsibility to set up fire fighting mechanism and other permanent systems at the main venue.
The first match under Group D will be held at the stadium on October 7. Brazil will take on Spain in the inaugural match here. North Korea and Niger will also play in Kochi. The city will also witness the Group C match between Germany and Guinea. The online ticket sale has evoked good response in Kochi, according to the release.
The display tour of FIFA under-17 winners’ trophy concluded here, with a function held at LuLu Mall. Students from various schools had turned up to catch a glimpse of the trophy.
District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla started the ‘one million goals’ campaign ahead of the Under-17 World Cup after he netted the first goal into a post set up at the Collectorate parade ground here.
Goal posts
Goal posts have been set up across the district as part of the promotional campaign. The District Sports Council envisages the setting up of 10 goal posts in areas under the Kochi Corporation; five each in municipalities and at least two each in panchayats in the district as part of the programme.
Popular football players and celebrities will be part of the event.
