FIFA kick stared the ticket sales for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India on Monday at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, here with former footballer Carles Puyol.
The legendary Spain defender engaged in a friendly match along with Minister for Sports, Vijay Goel, and kids. Tickets for the first FIFA event ever in the country will go live at exactly 19:11 hrs on Tuesday paying tribute to the year in which a major milestone in Indian football history occurred when for the first time Mohun Bagan defeated an English side — East Yorkshire Regiment — to win the IFA Shield. Appropriately, Gouri Bhaduri, grand daughter-in-law of Shibdas Bhaduri, captain of that famous 1911 team was handed the first ticket by Puyol and Goel. The ceremonial ticket would allow her family to attend any of the matches that take place across the six host cities.
Puyol said, "I was very excited and curious to discover the country and its people and I am glad that I didn't only get to see India's rich history, but also honour it."
Being the first-ever FIFA event in the country, tickets have been made available at prices below Rs 50.
"We have made sure the tickets are priced very nominally, you can buy a World Cup ticket for less than fifty rupees," said Goel. "So there is no reason not to come and support this tournament in large numbers," he added.