'One million goals' to usher in FIFA U-17 world cup

KOCHI: The goalposts are set, and the invitation is open. The target: Score 'One Million Goals'. The promotional campaign for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup is up and running with arrangements being made at various places in the district. The chief aim of the campaign slated for Wednesday is to convey the spirit of a football World Cup, which the country is hosting for the first time.According to the office-bearers of the Ernakulam District Sports Council (EDSC), the target is to ensure 2,000 goals in grama panchayats, 10,000 goals in each municipality and 15,000 goals in the Corporation.

"This will ensure maximum participation of the public in this grand event," said District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirullah. He also launched the campaign by scoring a goal in a function on the Collectorate premises.EDSC president Zakeer Hussain said arrangements were made to make the 'One Million Goals' campaign a grand success. "Two goalposts will be set up in panchayats while five of them will be set up in municipalities. In Corporation areas, there will be ten goalposts. Two volunteers will monitor a goalpost each. They will take the number of goals scored at the respective goalposts," he said.

A total of 600 volunteers selected from Nehru Yuva Kendra, NSS, Youth Welfare Board, Schools/Colleges will be deputed. The VIP centre for the campaign will be set up at the Durbar Hall Ground in the city. The VIP centre will also provide information on the goals scored at various goalposts in other local bodies. Kerala Blasters FC star C K Vineeth will inaugurate the campaign at Durbar Hall Ground. Olympians from the district, former footballers and film personalities will also be the part of the campaign.

Goalposts will be set up at five major locations in the City. This includes The District Sports Council office at P T Usha Road, District Collectorate, Vasco da Gama Square, Mattancherry and the Kochi Corporation Office.Zakeer said, irrespective of age or gender, the general public can participate. However, a person will be given only a single chance to score a goal. There will not be any goalkeepers and the kick should be taken from the penalty spot. A separate mobile app is also launched for the campaign. The number of goals scored and related information will be available through the app. Each goal scored will be reported through the, with the volunteers uploading the photo of each goalscorer/goal.

The panchayat, Corporation, municipalities, schools and colleges recording the most number of goals will be given special prizes. Two lucky winners from each local body will be selected through a lucky draw and will be given entry tickets to  watch one of matches hosted by Kochi.The volunteers will be provided with a separate mobile app for recording the number of goals. Along with reporting the number through the app, they will also manually enter the number of goals in a scoresheet so as to cross-check the data. The volunteers will also upload photos and videos at regular intervals through the app.