Panjim, Sep 27: The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the U-17 football World Cup, to be hosted by India next year, was unveiled here on Tuesday.

The ceremony was attended by world football's governing body FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Praful Patel, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) president.

"It is clear for all to see how football has already been making huge strides in India", said Infantino, according to a release.

"But there is still an enormous room for growth, and the FIFA U-17 World Cup can be an ideal catalyst to develop the sport even further and across the whole country. This is an exceptional opportunity to converge two of FIFA's core missions: to organise tournaments and to promote football development."

The emblem was designed as a celebration of the country's rich and diverse culture, with its main elements being the Indian Ocean, the banyan tree, the kite and the starburst, which is an interpretation of the Ashoka Chakra, an integral part of the national identity.

Talking about the launch, Patel said, "This is a historic occasion for India and the AIFF. Hosting our first FIFA World Cup will change forever the way football is seen in our country."

The tournament's director, Javier Ceppi added, "This is a very important landmark for our event, as now we have a very distinct image.

With the emblem launch we will go out to the masses and make sure that the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 is seen across the nation as another festival in our calendar of celebrations, the festival of football. We really have to make this fantastic opportunity count."

IANS