NEW DELHI: The new Minister of State for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge) Sarbananda Sonowal has promised all support to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in making the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017 a grand success.
AIFF general secretary Kushal Das and Executive Committee Member and Airtel I-League vice-chairman Ankur Dutta paid a courtesy visit to the just-appointed Minister recently. During the half-an-hour meet, Sonowal assured all-out support from the Government of India in 2017 when India would be hosting its maiden FIFA World Cup. “I briefed him about the U-17 World Cup and he seemed very enthusiastic about it. He has assured full cooperation from the Government in making the mega event a grand success. A more detailed presentation on the U-17 World Cup and AIFF’s football plan in general will be given to the minister soon,” Das said following the meeting.
Echoing the general secretary, Dutta, who is from the same state of Assam as the Sports Minister added, “The positive attitude of the Minister towards development of the sport will boost the sport as a whole. He is himself a football enthusiast and assured extensive support from the Government during the U-17 World Cup.”
