Under-17 FIFA World Cup: Sports minister inspects grounds, says venues will be ready by May 30

Union sports minister Vijay Goel has expressed his satisfaction over the progress of preparation for the Under-17 FIFA World Cup to be held in October. Goel said he is hopeful that both Kochi and Kolkata venues will be ready by May 30. The preparation for Kolkata's Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan is well on track. The venue hosts the final of the mega event. 

Goel earlier went to Kochi where he was disappointed with the progress work. "There has been a lot of delay in work at Kochi's Jawaharlal Nehru Athletic Stadium. But they have assured that latest by May 30 the work will be finished. I will come back again and play a demonstration match when the venue is ready.

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"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking special interest. I want it to be organised in a proper way. We will finish the work by May 30 at any cost. We will coordinate from Delhi." 

Goel also said that the ministry has planned to engage some 15,000 schools in the tournament to ensure that the stadium are packed. 

(With inputs from PTI)

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