Over to FIFA

KOCHI: The state government has officially handed over the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, the venue of U-17 World Cup, and four training grounds to the FIFA. In a low-key function held here on Monday, FIFA Local Organising Committee’s head of venue operations, Roma Khanna, took over the stadium from GCDA secretary M C Joseph and nodal officer A P M Mohammed Hanish. The stadium and the training venues will now be under the direct supervision of FIFA.

Hanish said all the mandatory works needed for hosting the competition have been completed. “It’s now the responsibility of FIFA to manage everything,” he said.Roma lauded the efforts of the state government and the enthusiasm of the public but reminded that handing over the structure to FIFA doesn’t absolve the government of their responsibilities. “Handing over the facility doesn’t mean the state government’s responsibility is over. There are still a lot of works that need to be done. The only difference is that these works will be monitored by FIFA directly,” she said. 

Handing over the facility doesn’t mean the state government’s responsibility is over. There are still a lot of works that need to be done. The only difference is that these works will be monitored by FIFA directly

– Roma Khanna, head, venue operations, FIFA Local Organising Committee 

All the mandatory works needed for hosting the competition have been completed. It’s now the responsibility of FIFA to manage everything

— A P M Mohammed Hanish, nodal officer