Kolkata, March 15: Singer turned Union minister Babul Supriyo has been appointed Vice President of the 2017 U-17 FIFA World Cup organising committee, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel revealed on Wednesday, March 15.

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"Have appointed my friend and great football fan as Vice President of the U17 World Cup Organising Committee. Welcome aboard @SuPriyoBabul !," Patel wrote on Twitter.

Praful Patel's tweet read:

Have appointed my friend and great football fan as Vice President of the U17 World Cup Organising Committee. Welcome aboard @SuPriyoBabul ! https://t.co/ujyl1CxQgx

— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) March 15, 2017

To this, Supriyo, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, tweeted back thanking Patel for the recognition.

"Thank U so much @praful_patel ji fr making me the VicePresident of the U-17 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee SuperExcited for football&me."

The youth showpiece, to be hosted by India for the first time, will be played from October 6 to 28. The draw of the tournament will be held on July 7.

A FIFA team is slated to visit India from March 21 to 27 for the final inspection of the facilities in the six cities which will host matches of the U-17 World Cup.

Patel is the president of the organising committee.

IANS