New Delhi: The Asian Football Confederation has officially confirmed India as hosts of the AFC U-16 Finals to be held next year.
With reference to the Championship, the AFC in a letter to all its Member Associations declared India as the host Nation of the AFC U-16 Championship 2016 Finals.
It was more than a year back in May 2014 that the All India Football Federation had first expressed its interest in hosting the Continental Championship. The AIFF believes the Championship is a perfect build up to India hosting the 2017 U-17 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on the occasion, the AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said, “The AFC U-16 Championship will enable our National Team to gain valuable experience before 2017 while also giving us a great opportunity to test our organisational capabilities before the FIFA U 17 World Cup in 2017.â€
Furthermore, the Indian U-16 National Team will also be participating in the AFC U-16 Qualifiers in September 2015, the draw for which will be held on June 5, 2015 in Malaysia. While India as host nation have already qualified, the Team will also be participating in the qualifiers to give them the maximum International exposure in the lead up to the tournament.
Meanwhile, Bahrain will host the AFC U-19 Championship 2016 Finals.