Fifa happy with U-17 world cup progress: Javier Ceppi

New Delhi: International football body, Fifa, has expressed satisfaction over progress made at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium and four training grounds in Kochi for hosting the upcoming Under-17 football World Cup.

Tournament director of the local organising committee Javier Ceppi said Kochi has picked up pace for renovations after falling behind schedule in March.

Kochi is scheduled to host one of the quarter-finals of the tournament, to be hosted by India from October 6 to 28, 100 days away now.

“With 100 days to go, things seem to be under control and renovations are going as planned,” Ceppi said on Tuesday.

He said fans have started responding to the mega event by collecting their tickets early.

Ceppi added that preparations at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Mumbai and the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, venue for the final, were close to completion.

The D.Y. Patil Stadium will host the opening game and a semi-final.

Ceppi though expressed concerns over lukewarm responses to ticket sales in Delhi and Goa.

“The concern is the crowd response, as Delhi is lagging behind in the ticket sales and we hope that this situation can improve after the draw. The capital of the country deserves to show to the world, a full stadium, any other thing will not be befitting Delhi.

“We hope that Goa picks up and justifies its status as one of the hotbeds for football in India.”