Kochi is back in the game

FIFA allays concerns over city’s preparedness to host event

According to tournament director, massive human resources have been employed to ensure that deadlines are met.

The local organising committee for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup has expressed satisfaction with the progress being made by Kochi to host the premier global event later this year amid concerns raised in some quarters over the city’s preparedness.

Tournament director Javier Ceppi and officials of the local organising committee had visited the city on Tuesday and assessed the improvement made since the last FIFA inspection on March 24.

This was followed by the tenth task force meeting, as part of which organising committee officials inspected the venue, which has to be readied by May 15. The inspection team also visited the four training grounds and asserted that there has been progress on that front as well.

After going through the renovation work carried out by the State government and the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), the organising committee has expressed its satisfaction.

“The State government has employed massive human resources to make sure that all deadlines are met. At the moment, there are hundreds of workers in the stadium and many others on training sites. The amount of progress since the FIFA inspection has been quite positive and we are satisfied and confident that Kochi will be able to meet the deadline,” Mr. Ceppi was quoted as saying in a release issued on Thursday.

He emphasised the importance of closing shops around the stadium, pinning his hopes on the assurance given by the GCDA. “We certainly feel that now Kochi is on a good path and we hope that they keep up the good work that has been done since the FIFA visit,” Mr. Ceppi added. FIFA Head of Tournaments Jaime Yarza also laid stressed on the closure of shops, which he said was critical to ensure safety and security during the tournament.

Mr. Ceppi said the organising committee was about to start working with other departments such as the police for operational planning. “The government has already initiated the process for the signing of the host city logo, so we think all steps are being taken to ensure the status of Kochi as a venue,” he said. The next inspection will be on April 29.