The West Bengal government has announced that a plethora of school and college students would get a chance to watch the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 matches live from the iconic Salt Lake Stadium..for free.
At a time when tickets are selling like hot cakes and plenty of Indian football fans left frustrated on not getting the chance to catch the action live, comes this unique endeavour from the Mamata Banerjee govt.
READ: After Kolkata, tickets for Under 17 World Cup sold out in Kerala
The Salt Lake stadium in India, also known as the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, hosts a total of ten matches of the Under-17 World Cup, this October.
"They [school and college students] will be provided free tickets to watch ten matches of the U-17 World Cup," West Bengal State Education minister Partha Chatterjee told reporters on Wednesday.
The West Bengal govt are looking at accommodating at least a total of 5000 students for each of the ten matches. A separate box has been created at the stadium just to accommodate the students.
It is also learnt that the students, who have a sports background, especially in football, will be given more preference to get the free tickets.
Fixtures info: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
| Oct 8 | Chile vs England | 5 pm IST |
| Iraq vs Mexico | 8 pm IST | |
| Oct 11 | England vs Mexico | 5 pm IST |
| Iraq vs Chile | 8 pm IST | |
| Oct 14 | Japan vs New Caledonia | 5 pm IST |
| England vs Iraq | 8 pm IST | |
| Oct 17 | R16 | 8 pm IST |
| Oct 22 | QF | 8 pm IST |
| Oct 28 | 3/4 Place | 5 pm IST |
| Final | 8 pm IST |
