Indian Government gives AIFF guarantees to host 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup!

It has taken the Government of India and the likely involved state governments close to eight months, but now the All India Football Federation has all necessary guarantees and approvals to put its formal bid forward to host the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

The above was officially conveted to the AIFF in a letter from Sports Minister Ajay Maken dated Wednesday, September 19.

"It gives me immense pleasure to inform you that the Government supports the possibility that FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 may be staged in India," Maken said in the letter.

"Also, the Government supports the presence of FIFA and of any FIFA member associations in India in connection with the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017.

"The Government will also support all efforts that envisage the hosting and staging of FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 and those that contribute to the development of football in India," Maken said.

"A detailed communication on the guarantees sought by AIFF is being conveyed to the General Secretary of the AIFF, separately, by my department," he added.

With the Government of India now giving its full support to India's bid for the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, the AIFF is set to hand its application in the coming days with a final decision on the 2017 hosts to be taken by the FIFA Executive Committee at their meeting on December 14 in Tokyo during the 2012 FIFA World Club Championship.