While India is yet to host major sporting events like Olympics or FIFA, it is indeed making a small beginning with the under-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017.

Though India’s tryst with 2010 Commonwealth Games was marred with controversies, experts and industry players believe that hosting such events create a positive environment and also help create better infrastructure.

Club leagues IMG-Reliance has floated the Indian Super League for soccer and is expected to host its first season later this year.

The league has attracted celebrities and corporate honchos, who have picked up teams in various cities. Corporates such as Coca-Cola are promoting tournaments at the school level.

Debabrata Mukherjee – Vice-President – Marketing and Commercial, Coca-Cola India said, “A good performance by the host country will add tremendous impetus to the growing football momentum in the country.”

Tushar Goculdas, Brand Director, Adidas India said, “Infrastructural development is a high investment activity that needs public-private partnership to succeed. This is a perfect springboard to nurture the next generation for the FIFA World Cup.”

While the venues are yet to be finalised, All India Football Federation has proposed Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and one of the states among Assam, Goa and Kerala as possible hosts.

FIFA has made its first round of inspection earlier this year to the eight probable centres among which six are expected to host the under-17 World Cup. Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation (AIFF) said, “The Central Government has sanctioned an expenditure of ₹120 crore for upgradation of the stadia and development of infrastructure. It is also expected that besides the Central Government’s sanctioned budget, the States selected will put in additional money to create the best possible infrastructure and facilities.”

Even the real estate players are bullish. Pradeep Jain Chairman Parsvnath Developers said, “When we see such large sporting events being organised, it unfolds into development of highways, roads, flyovers, enhancement of transport facilities like metro connectivity, etc. These developments in turn lead to appreciation in property prices.”

Property prices “In my opinion, property prices have always shown an upward trend in a longer time period. So, in 2017 this will also bring in good realisation for the investors in property as it has been doing in the past,” he said.

Neeraj Gulati Managing Director Assotech Realty, points out that during the Asian Games (1982) and Commonwealth Games (2010), there was a surge in residential real estate market whereby the price line increased 10-15 per cent over a short period of time.

(Inputs from Navadha Pandey, Mamuni Das)

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW