Worried FIFA sets May 15 deadline for Kochi stadium

The state government must get involved, give us an unrestricted support, because there are a lot of changes that need to be made to the stadium.

FIFA’S inspection team on Friday expressed “deep concern” over the pace of work at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here, one of the six venues selected to host matches in the U-17 World Cup later this year, and set May 15 as deadline for completing work.

“It’s unfortunate, the state that JNI Stadium in Kochi is in currently, needless to say if we want the ground to play host to a World Cup, we need the authorities to step up now,” FIFA head of events, Jaime Yarza, said after inspecting the main ground.

“The venue has a very strong football culture and it would be a matter of great shame if we don’t manage to fulfill the requirements in time.”

A team of 21 members of FIFA and the local organizing committee carried out the inspection.

Yarza said, “I was here last February and, to be honest, while some work has happened, it’s by far not enough, which is a matter of deep concern. The state government must get involved, give us an unrestricted support and understand the urgency of the situation, because there are a lot of changes that need to be made to the stadium.

“The works need to be done by 15th May and given the large amount of renovation that must happen, works have to go on ful speed. Also, the situation of the stores is quite concerning: from a security standpoint they cannot be opened during the tourna ment. There are stores with fue tanks, which is a grave safety and security concern, so their equip ments also need to be taken out Overall, work needs to happen and state government needs to make them happen fast.”

He added, “I am considerably happy with the preparations put in at the training sites, but the main ground remains a matter of great concern.”

The delegation will travel to Navi Mumbai and Guwahati next before it concludes its inspection with a visit to Kolkata.