Under-17 World Cup hosting rights, lone silver lining for Indian football in 2013

New Delhi: 2013 will be unforgettable for Indian football for many disappointing reasons. Only one good news came in the last months of the year that India got the hosting rights for FIFA Under-17 World Cup which will be played in 2017.Indian team witnessed the worst years in the history of Indian football. The six time champs failed to claim SAFF Championship which was held in Nepal. Then they were unable to qualify for the final round of the AFC Challenge cup. Indian football team also played 4 international friendly matches during the year, losing two, winning one and drawing the other. The much-expected IPL-style football league planned to be held early 2014 was also deferred to September 2014 just days before the franchise bidding, quoting variousFactors, including schedule clash with the I-League and non-availability of stadium in Goa due to holdup in Lusofonia Games. The All India Football Federation did not have much to show, as the national team was displaying poor play, except for claiming of the 2017 Under-17 FIFA World Cup at the fag end of the year which is no doubt was a milestone in Indian football history. The FIFA had motivated India to bid for the mega event in continuation of its "football geo-politics" but the country nearly lost the tournament for want of assurances from the government-- a pre-requisite to host a FIFA event of this magnitude. India's bid was rejected by the FIFA early this year and its final bid documents were submitted at the last minute due to delay in getting government guarantees on various subjects.By virtue of being the host country, an Indian team will play in the 24-nation tournament which will be held in six venues across the country.