KOLKATA: The total attendance at the the just-concluded FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2017 was a record 1.347 million (1,347,131 to be exact), with Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium accounting for more than 45 per cent of the overall spectator count.
With 66,684 people attending Sunday's final between England and Spain, the cumulative attendance of this edition of the U-17 World Cup was 116,131 more than the previous record of U-17 World Cup which was set in the inaugural edition of the age-group tournament, played in China.
Meanwhile, the semi-final match, which saw the Three Lions winning against Brazil riding on a fantastic hat-trick by tournament Golden Boot winner Rhian Brewster, was witnessed by a 63,000-strong crowd.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said the Salt Lake Stadium accounted for more than 45 per cent of the total attendance, way ahead of second-placed New Delhi (19.78%) for all matches at the six venues across the country.
“Kolkata achieves a unique position in the U-17 World Cup. Out of 13 lakh 47 thousand (1.347 million) spectators in India who watched the U-17 matches in all the venues, Kolkata is the highest with 6 lakh 8 thousand (608,000) watching,” Ms Banerjee wrote in a post on her official Facebook page.
“This is more than 45 per cent of the total spectator count. Next highest is Delhi with 19.78 per cent. The per match spectator average in India is 25,906, while in Kolkata it is 55,345 - more than double. It is all about our passion for football and the excellent arrangements at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium),” she added.
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