^^The same article says "The FIFA under 17 World Cup in 2017 will witness participation of 190 countries."
So this is going to be as big as Olympics lol! On a serious note, I think it is just a regular protocol for them to meet the authorities. A decision will be made only after they visit all the stadiums.
A nice article in EiSamay lists the current status of facilities in VYBK stadium. And the picture is quite gloomy. They fear that if the decision is made based on current situation, Kolkata may lose out. The biggest problems are the turf and dressing/medical rooms.
In my mind, that is unfounded fear because it is just a primary inspection and the assessors will look for the scope of improvement.
Wim Koevermans: We have to look at the countries qualified for 2017 U-17 World Cup
The Dutchman has sketched a plan for the boys who shall represent India at the U-17 World Cup…
India coach Wim Koevermans is aware of the huge responsibility on the technical staff as India will compete as the host nation in the U-17 World Cup in 2017.
He mentioned that India has to look at how other developed nations prepare for the said competition and thereby chart their own road in order to field a competitive side.
On being asked as to what steps he would like to see immediately implemented with regards to the preparations for the U-17 World Cup, Koevermans said, “We have to see what the World Cup U-17 really means. We have to look at the videos, we have to look at the countries that are in there and see what their qualities are. That's the starting point for our U-17 team because they are three years down the road. Then we can clearly identify the goals for our players to start developing. I'm really talking about content of training sessions, planning of the games, because if you immediately start your first practice match against Nigeria, that's asking for trouble.
“So we need to find what is the right step up, which countries are we planning to play first, to get the boys gradually up to the level that is necessary to play a World Cup.”
“It would be great to take them out (abroad) for three years, but we will play the tournament in India. And, of course, the boys are playing for the fans and I think we should give so much good promotion for this team - that whenever they play in India, the fans will be there to watch them. If we build it up over three years, we are definitely sure that the stadiums will be full, because everybody wants to see the new stars of world football, but they also want to see the Indian team doing well in the U-17 World Cup.
You are wrong, they will not play Nigeria immediately but might choose lesser opponents and build them up towards a match against power houses like Nigeria in the future.
Comments
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/fifa-plans-to-hold-u17-world-cup-matches-in-guwahati-in-2017/454763-5-21.html
Talks about D Y Patil Stadium.
The Dutchman has sketched a plan for the boys who shall represent India at the U-17 World Cup…
India coach Wim Koevermans is aware of the huge responsibility on the technical staff as India will compete as the host nation in the U-17 World Cup in 2017.
He mentioned that India has to look at how other developed nations prepare for the said competition and thereby chart their own road in order to field a competitive side.
On being asked as to what steps he would like to see immediately implemented with regards to the preparations for the U-17 World Cup, Koevermans said, “We have to see what the World Cup U-17 really means. We have to look at the videos, we have to look at the countries that are in there and see what their qualities are. That's the starting point for our U-17 team because they are three years down the road. Then we can clearly identify the goals for our players to start developing. I'm really talking about content of training sessions, planning of the games, because if you immediately start your first practice match against Nigeria, that's asking for trouble.
“So we need to find what is the right step up, which countries are we planning to play first, to get the boys gradually up to the level that is necessary to play a World Cup.”
“It would be great to take them out (abroad) for three years, but we will play the tournament in India. And, of course, the boys are playing for the fans and I think we should give so much good promotion for this team - that whenever they play in India, the fans will be there to watch them. If we build it up over three years, we are definitely sure that the stadiums will be full, because everybody wants to see the new stars of world football, but they also want to see the Indian team doing well in the U-17 World Cup.
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2014/03/02/4654504/wim-koevermans-we-have-to-look-at-the-countries-qualified?ICID=SP