A day before the FIFA U-17 world cup kicks off in Delhi, the environment NGO Greenpeace said that "the level of course air pollutants PM10 “far exceeded” the safe levels in the host cities of the tournament last October". The reports came when the Capital Delhi recorded a 'Poor' air quality of football played during the tournament. According to the report, in October 2016, the average levels of PM10 - coarse particulates measuring less than 10 microns in diameter - were 304 and 100 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/m3) in Delhi and Mumbai. Delhi is going to co-host the FIFA U-17 world cup with Mumbai, Kochi, Margao (Goa), Guwahati and Kolkata.

According to the reports, the 24-hour average prescribed standard of PM10 is 100 and the annual prescribed average is 60.“PM10 level on October 6 last year in Delhi was 234µg/m3, and 320µg/m3 on October 16 (when Delhi hosts the last tournament match this year). When asked Greenpeace executive Sunil Dahiya about the effect of poor quality air in the game he said "  such levels of air pollution could also reduce the quality of football played at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, According to a study by the German League, football matches that take place during periods of heavy air pollution are played more slowly. The study also found that health impacts are strongest when the PM10 concentration is above 50µg/m3 and when players have fewer than five rest days between matches,” he said.

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