GUWAHATI, Aug 10 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal met a delegation of Under-17 FIFA World Cup organising committee in his Assam Secretariat office chamber on Tuesday evening.
The meeting was held to discuss the available sporting infrastructure and facilities for the U-17 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in 2017, with Guwahati as one of the probable venues.
�The Chief Minister asked the concerned authorities to ensure the construction of the additional dressing rooms. The construction of these dressing rooms have not been possible owing to the 108 occupying a certain portion of the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. He has instructed the authorities to complete the remaining construction work at the stadium before the FIFA team make their way for the final inspection on October 24. He also ensured that the work will be completed on time,� a source said.
Assam Football Association Secretary Ankur Dutta suggested that the infrastructure should be put up in such a manner that it can be used for holding other international events in future.
The Chief Minister also asked the concerned authorities to prepare the four other practice venues before the FIFA delegation visits the game venues.
The event, slated to be held in September-October of 2017, will feature 24 countries.
He also asked the authorities to put in place a foolproof security system and to upgrade and renovate the players� dressing room, media centre, VIP lounge, FIFA Office, among others.
Minister of State for Sports and Youth Welfare Naba Kumar Doley, Additional Chief Secretary RT Jindal, Commissioner and Secretary Ajay Tewari, Technical Director U-17 FIFA World Cup Javier Ceppi, Venue Operation Head Roma Khanna, Assam Football Association secretary Ankur Dutta, Director of Sports Authority of India, Guwahati, Subhas Basumatary were present at the meeting.