Blatter urges India to raise standards

FOOTBALL: NEW DELHI, March 10 (AFP) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Friday urged India to develop its football infrastructure and improve playing standards if it wants to successfully host major events.

“I see a lot of improvement since my last visit in 2007 but a lot more needs to be done,” Blatter told reporters after his day-long visit to New Delhi during which he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.“I’m happy with my meeting with the prime minister. He seemed very positive about the development of the game. I brought to his notice the need to have more land to develop infrastructure for the game in the country.”Blatter appeared positive about All-India Football Federation (AIFF)’s bid to host the the under-17 World Cup in 2007.“I’m very positive towards India’s likelihood of getting to host the under-17 World Cup,” the FIFA president said.

“I’m sure the bid will be well received by FIFA, but India has to develop the game at the grassroots level and prepare its under-17 team to match the expectations.”

FIFA is expected to name the host country next month with Guatemala and Jamaica reportedly also in the fray.

Blatter said the world governing body was closely following the development of football in India.