Babul Supriyo is U-17 World Cup organising panel vice-president

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.

"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.

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.