Sports minister assures support for FIFA U-17 World Cup

New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) Newly appointed sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal Wednesday assured the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of full support to make the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup a grand success.

AIFF secretary-general Kushal Das and vice-president Ankur Dutta met Sonowal for 30 minutes and the minister assured all-out support from the government for the 2017 event.

"It was indeed a pleasure to meet the Sports Minister on his first day in office. I briefed him about the U-17 World Cup and he seemed very enthusiastic about it. He has assured full cooperation from the Government in making the mega event a grand success. A more detailed presentation on the U-17 World Cup and AIFF's football plan in general will be given to the minister soon," Das added.

Dutta, who hails from the minister's state Assam, said the positive attitude of the minister will boost the sport as a whole.

"He is himself a football enthusiast and assured extensive support from the government during the U-17 World Cup," said Dutta.