he Under-17 World Cup will kick off in New Delhi, marking India's
first-ever Fifa tournament, world football's governing body said on
Monday despite initial concern over air quality in the world's most
polluted capital.
After a week-long inspection, authorities selected six cities across the
country including Mumbai and New Delhi for the under-17 matches, Fifa
said.
"The match schedule has been created following a thorough analysis of
players' health, competition format, team movements, weather, local
festivities, geography and other factors," said Jaime Yarza, head of
Fifa tournaments, in a statement.
Last month Fifa Under-17 World Cup tournament director Javier Ceppi said
that air quality in Delhi was a "serious concern", particularly since
the tournament will be held in the same month as the Diwali festival,
when residents celebrate by setting huge amounts of fireworks.
Pollution levels spiked to record levels in Delhi around Diwali last
year, forcing schools to shut as authorities ordered a series of
emergency measures including a temporary ban on construction.
A 2014 World Health Organisation survey of more than 1 600 cities ranked Delhi as the most polluted.
Monday's statement said at least eight matches would be held at each
venue, with India's football-mad city of Kolkata set to host the final
at its Salt Lake Stadium.
While cricket is India's No 1 sport, Kolkata is often regarded as the
premier football city and it is just as common to see youngsters kicking
a ball on the streets as wielding a bat.
India are currently 130th in the Fifa world rankings, wedged between
minnows Suriname and the Dominican Republic and with little sign that an
upturn in fortunes is around the corner.
The Under-17 World Cup will be held from October 6-28.
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