U17 World Cup anthem to be launched on July 7 at draw in Mumbai

The anthem for the U-17 football World Cup will be launched on the night of the draw, in Mumbai on July 7. Written by Amitabh Bhattacharya and set to music by Pritam, the song will have multiple singers though all of them may not be present for a live performance on the first night, said Joy Bhattacharjya, project director of the local organising committee of the World Cup.

Speaking over the phone from New Delhi, Bhattacharjya said the song would be an anthem and could be used for promotional activities even after the tournament that will run from October 6 to 28 in six Indian cities.

The draw in Mumbai would be a celebration of sport and hence Indian stars of the show would not just be footballers, said Bhattacharjya. “Fifa will send two legends for the draw, one of whom would have won the under-17 World Cup. The details would be firmed up by this week,” he said.

Former Ghana stars Samuel Kuffour and Stephen Appiah, Nigeria’s Nwankwo Kanu and Celestine Babayaro are some of the big names who have won this event. But the biggest name perhaps is Ronaldinho, who won the tournament in 1997 in Egypt.

Twenty-four teams will play in the World Cup. India have requested Fifa that they play in New Delhi and should the world body agree, it would be slotted in group B. According to fixtures, India could also have to play one group match in Navi Mumbai.

TROPHY TOUR

Before the World Cup, the trophy will tour India for one month, said Bhattacharjya. Like with the men’s World Cup, famous former footballers will be part of that trophy experience, he said.

TICKET SALES

Encouraged by the response to ticket sales when they were first released on May 16 --- those in Kolkata got sold out in less than a day --- the LOC is mulling releasing another set of tickets before the draw, he said.