MUMBAI: The All India Football Federation is planning to bid for the under-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 in a bid to take the popularity of the sport to the next level.

Described as a ?sleeping giant? by none other than the current FIFA president Sepp Blatter, the Indian football has been going through lots of high in the recent past with developments like Argentina-Venezuela match and the visit of Blackburn Rovers to Pune among others. The hosting of U-17 FIFA WC could well be the turning point for the sport, that is if all goes as per the plan.

AIFF vice-president A R Khaleel said that the national body is serious in its bid to host the Under 17 World Cup. "India is going to bid for the Under 17 World Cup in 2017. But it will be a long process and the AIFF will have to take permission from the government. It will be a long process."

Khaleel also brushed aside concerns, saying the country has the infrasturcture required to host this event. He also hinted that the event will be held at four or five countries across the country.

"Four or five venues will be enough and it can be held across the country. We have Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Delhi, Banglaore Football Association Stadium, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai and Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata where the matches can be held. So we have the infrastructure," he said.

AIFF president Praful Patel had in the past expressed his desire to host the under 17 World Cup in 2017 following FIFA director for Member Associations and Development Division, Thierry Regenasses mooted the idea for India to host the tournament in 2017 or 2019.

The U-17 World Cup is a 24-team held every two years. The 2013 edition of the tournament will be hosted by United Arab Emirates while the 2015 event will be held in Chile.