India bids for 2015 FIFA Club World Cup, U-17 WC in 2017

New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) In yet another attempt to raise the profile of the sport in the country, India is set to bid for hosting rights of the glamorous 2015 Club World Cup, besides the Under-17 World Cup in 2017. If it sees the light of day, the eight-team tournament, which was won by Barcelona last December, will also feature an Indian club besides the world's best. "We are bound by a contract with Europe and South America (to host the Club WC there). (But) We are finishing the cycle in 2012. The next Club WC is in Morocco. Therefore, there is a possibility for India," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said here Fridayday. Blatter, who arrived here earlier in the day to inspect the infrastructure in view of the Under-17 World Cup, paid courtesy visits to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil and discussed possibilities of hosting the tournaments. "I have spoken to the PM about the facilities, football infrastructure," he said. As far as the U-17 World Cup was concerned, Blatter said he was hopeful that India's bid would be received well by the FIFA executive committee. "I am sure it will be received well in FIFA. I can't assure as there is a 24-member executive committee." India's Heavy Industries Minister and All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel too was optimistic about India's chances. "We are in a serious bid to host the U-17 World Cup in 2017. That is our mission and objective. I am hoping to see the bid going through. We will make a strong pitch. "If we start working on a under-17 team now, we will be ready for the World Cup. We can get a wild card entry as the hosts," Patel told reporters here. PTI Caption for pic: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh being presented with a special memorial banner by FIFA President Sepp Blatter at a meeting in New Delhi on Friday. Asian Football Confederation Acting President Zhang Jilong (left) and India's Heavy Industries Minister and All India Football Federation President Praful Patel (right) are also seen. PTI Photo