The final touches were in full bloom at D.Y. Patil Stadium before the first practice session was set to take off at the venue on Monday evening. The owner of the stadium, Vijay Patil who has been at the forefront in bringing Fifa U-17 World Cup games to the venue, was supervising the work done and also inspected the playing field that looks like a lush green carpet.
The stadium will host Group B games between New Zealand and Turkey, followed by Paraguay and Mali on the opening day, October 6. Four more league games, a Round of 16 match and a semi-final tie will be held at the stadium.
A top Fifa official inspected the stadium on Friday, according to sources, but the world governing body is yet to take over the stadium officially as on Tuesday noon. The other venues for the World Cup are Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi, Kochi and Goa.
All the four U-17 World Cup teams scheduled to play Group B games at D.Y. Patil stadium have already arrived in Mumbai, and are engaged in gruelling practice sessions across four venues in the city.
Brazil, who are scheduled to play Group D matches in Kochi, and England who play Group F matches in Kolkata, were also stationed in Mumbai for training at Mumbai Football Arena (MFA). The England team even visited the iconic Shivaji Park on Monday to interact and play with kids there. They also met the Mumbai mayor, Vishwanath Mahadeshwar. Both the teams left for their respective venues on Tuesday.
“To have world class World Cup teams train at a facility in Mumbai is an honour and an opportunity to inspire kids, coaches to rise,” tweeted MDFA president Aaditya Thackeray.
New Zealand, who have also been stationed in Mumbai for over a week, practiced at Yashwant Rao Chavan ground in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday. Their opponents in the opening game, Turkey, got a feel of the D.Y. Patil stadium’s playing field while Paraguay and Mali, who are set to play the second match on Friday practices at D.Y. Patil Ground 2 (Cricket Ground) and Navi Mumbai Sports Association ground respectively.
The organisers have learnt from hosting the Justin Bieber concert in May this year, which has resulted in new safe evacuation gates for spectators and improved facilities for the audience.
But the burning question remains — will football fans from the city and surrounding areas fill the stadium to capacity? The original capacity of the stadium was around 55,000, which was reduced to around 48,000 according to sources after upgraded individual bucket seats in the stadium for all spectators. The size of individual seats has also increased, none of whom would have a restricted view because of the cantilevered gull wing roof.
The newly installed fabric roof makes it the stadium with the largest such structure in the country as well. A solar power plant has been installed and two practice grounds were renovated. Two new team dressing rooms have been developed.
But will almost half-a-lakh spectators actually come to the stadium with India not playing here in the league stages? All the teams playing here are strong are likely to produce entertaining football but will it interest the Indian fans?
The organisers claim healthy sale of tickets and expect a packed house on Friday. Even the Fifa website shows sold out tickets except for one category. Western India Football Association CEO Henry Menezes, who has also opened ticketing kiosks at Cooperage Football Ground, St Xavier’s Parel and other football venues in the city, also backs the Fifa Local Organising Committee’s claims.
“As per my knowledge, around 25,000 tickets have been already sold for the first day (October 6). People are coming from far areas also. Consulates and foreigners here are also showing big interest. Schools and colleges may also be invited. We expect a full house on Friday,” he said.
But since responding well to the India versus Puerto Rico game at Mumbai Football Arena last September, spectators interest has been decreasing in other senior international games held at the venue.
A good turn out was also expected at Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri Sports Complex after free entry was granted for Brazil and England’s practice games against New Zealand. But the end turn out for both games was very poor. However, a maiden Fifa event could draw numbers How much, remains to be seen!
