July 10 – It may not be a message for environmental sustainability, but it will help FIFA’s financial sustainability. Coal India has signed up as the third National Supporter for the U-17 World Cup by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
Coal India becomes the third National Sponsor alongside Bank of Baroda and Hero MotorCorp. The plan is to have six local supporting sponsors by the start of the tournament in four months time.
President of All India Football Federation and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee Praful Patel said: “We are delighted at the partnership with Coal India for the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017. Coal India has been a strong supporter of Indian sport, and their presence will definitely help in taking the message of football to every corner of our country.”
The tournament will be held from October 6-28 and is the first major major FIFA tournament held in the country. Bank of Baroda was the first sponsor to come on board in December last year and it was joined by Hero MotoCorp last match. Hero is also title sponsor of the Indian Super League.
Tournament Director Javier Ceppi said when Bank of Baroda signed that he was not surprised by the keen interest in the National Supporter slots. “This is a landmark event in Indian sport. As the first ever FIFA tournament to be hosted in India and with India as one of the participating teams, it is a unique opportunity to be partners in making football history in this country.”
Contact the writer of this story at paul.nicholson@insideworldfootball.com