Smart balls to serve in U17 worlds

LIMA, July 2 -- Smart balls with microchips in it will be used in the under-17 world soccer championship on September 16-October 2 in Peru, said Saturday the organizing committee.

The electronic device will tell referees and his assistants whether the ball has crossed the goal-line or if it goes out of the pitch.

Officials from the organizing committee said the special balls were provided by German sports firm Adidas.

Fourteen teams, including Ghana, have qualified to join the host Peru in the tournament at venues in five cities, Chiclayo, Trujillo, Piura, Lima and Iquitos, and the last ticket will be given to the winnerfrom a repechage between Honduras and Costa Rica.

Teams already qualified are China and South Korea from Asia, the United States and Mexico from North America, Brazil, Uruguay and Peru from South America, Australia from Oceania, Turkey, the Netherldands and Italy from Europe, and Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire from Africa.

The 16 teams will be divided into four groups and the draw willbe made on July 16 at Rumbas Realses El Senor de Sipan Museum.