New Delhi, the capital of India is in danger of missing out on hosting the marquee matches of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup later this year, due toconcerns over the extremely high� pollution levels in the city after Diwali.
The FIFA Under-17 World Cup which is being held in India for the first time is scheduled to take place between 6th-28th October, with the knockout games set to take place after the festival of Diwali, which is the cause of high levels of pollution.
With New Delhi already suffering from high levels of pollution, the authorities will instead move the knock-out games to five other venues in-Navi Mumbai, Margao, Kochi, Guwahati and Kolkata.
Delhi likely to miss out on marquee matches during FIFA U-17 World.
Why?@mihirsv reports: https://t.co/1cPfLsRlb6
The match schedule is not finalised yet. One of the reasons for that is the pollution. And pollution in Delhi is a serious concern¦ particularly after Diwali. We all know this", Tournament Director,Javier Ceppi said, as quoted byIndian Express.
"Until Diwali, October is decent, you can play. But after Diwali, it (pollution) shoots to a level that is extremely, extremely unhealthy. So would that mean that it may risk the capacity of Delhi hosting ˜marquee matches' or further into the tournament? We don't know yet"
The official mascot of 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, India#FIFAU17WC #KHELEO pic.twitter.com/t3PqYYYDlL
FIFA had in the past expressed reservations over the levels of pollution in the city, with it's medical council keeping close tabs on the situation. The world body's inspection committee is also set to review the stadium's next month, with Delhi's weather a major topic of discussion.
That (pollution) is one thing we can't really control, no matter what different measures are taken. You cannot reduce pollution from one day to the next, to the amount that it would need to be reduced for hosting games. It will certainly be a factor when we are considering the schedule and allocation of matches, particularly in Delhi", the Director added.
The Under-17 World Cup is arguably the biggest international football event to be played in the sub-continent nation, with 24 countries set to take part. The matches in Delhi will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.