NEW DELHI: With the first-ever international football event coming up in India, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has urged all the stakeholders of the FIFA U 17 World Cup 2017 tournament to work together as a team and put their best foot forward.

Addressing the first board meeting of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament, he assured the complete support of the government. 

Earlier, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel explained the vital importance of the tournament for the overall development of Indian football and outlined the support necessary from all quarters for successfully staging the tournament. 

LOC FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 Tournament director Javier Ceppi updated the board on the current progress of the preparations. 

Sports secretary Rajiv Yadav and representatives of Goa, Kochi, Guwahati and Kolkata also updated the forum on the current progress of work at the various venues. 

The FIFA U 17 World Cup, 2017 is the first ever FIFA tournament to be held in India and will be staged in September–October 2017. Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Kolkata and Guwahati have been initially shortlisted as venues for the event.