M. C. Joseph, secretary of GCDA, hands over the agreement to Roma Khana, head of venue operations of the local organizing committee. KFA president K. M. I. Mather, left, GCDA chairman C. N. Mohanan, center, and A. P. M. Mohammed Hanish, state government’s nodal officer for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, are also seen. Kochi: The refurbished Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Kaloor, Kochi, and the four training grounds were on Monday handed over to the FIFA for the U-17 World Cup, beginning October 6.
A. P. M. Mohammed Hanish, state government’s nodal officer for the event, and M. C. Joseph, secretary of the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), which owns the stadium, handed over the agreement to Roma Khanna, head of venue operations of the local organizing committee.
GCDA chairman C. N. Mohanan and Kerala Football Association president K. M. I. Mather were among those who attended the function.
Expressing satisfaction over the facilities put in place at the venue, Roma Khana said that the governing body was looking forward to the continuous support of the state government for the successful conduct of the high-profile event. “We hope the government would extend full support to the organizers during the entire course of the tournament,” she said.
The four practice grounds - Parade ground, Fort Kochi-Veli football ground, Maharaja’s College ground, and Government Boys High School ground at Panampilly Nagar - that will be managed by the FIFA team from now on, also conformed to international standards.
The main venue has been deemed fit to host matches by the FIFA delegation. All the infrastructure and allied features including the turf, drainage, fire and safety systems, air-conditioned rooms and toilets at the Kaloor stadium had been spruced up before changing hands.
The work on installing bucket seats has also been completed. Though chairs have been installed in all the three tiers of the stadium, entry to the top tier would be banned due to security reasons. The total seating capacity is 41,748.
Shops and other business establishments operating in the stadium complex downed the shutters on Monday. They will remain closed till the end of the tournament as a security measure.
The inaugural match in Kochi will be held on October 7 between Brazil and Spain. The other two teams drawn in Group D are North Korea and Niger. The city will also host the Group C match between Germany and Guinea in addiction to a pre-quarterfinal and a quarterfinal.
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