The city may get to host the mascot-launching function of the under-17 FIFA World Cup if everything works out as planned, and the city has indeed been selected as a venue.
Javier Ceppi, tournament director, said: “Getting better matches and better events depend on two factors – readiness and willingness. The willingness is there and I am sure that we will get things ready,” he said. He was addressing a press conference at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium after a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to take stock of the progress of the preparatory works.
Mr. Ceppi, however, had a word of caution for all provisionally selected venues, including Kochi. FIFA was looking at different options. He said there were other stadiums in the country that could substitute the venues. FIFA had set October 2016 as the deadline for the completion of facilities , except the bucket seats. A pitch expert would visit the stadium before the completion of the work followed by a FIFA team in October.
