Both Indian men’s and women’s football teams will be taking part in the upcoming Asian Games, Union minister for sports Anurag Thakur confirmed on Wednesday putting an end to speculations over the matter.
Taking to Twitter, Anurag Thakur said that the Government of India has decided to relax the rules to facilitate participation of both the teams in the tournament as existing norms made it complicated for the teams to take part in the event.
The sports and youth affairs minister also wished the two teams luck as he announced the Centre’s decision on the matter after the Indian men’s football team head coach Igor Stimac appealed to him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and sort out the issue.
He wrote on Twitter, “Good news for Indian football lovers! Our national football teams, both Men’s and Women’s, are set to participate in the upcoming Asian Games. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, has decided to relax the rules to facilitate participation of both the teams, which were not qualifying as per the existing criterion.”
“Keeping in mind their latest performances in the recent times, the Ministry decided to grant the relaxation. I am sure they will put their best foot forward in the Asian Games and make our country proud,” added Thakur.
It may be noted that Igor Stimac had on July 17 urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister for sports, Anurag Thakur to allow the national football team to participate in the upcoming Asian Games in China this year.
The development comes after reports emerged that India will not be sending its football teams to the Asian Games set to be held in China from September 23 to October 8 this year.
India won the gold medal twice in the competition, in 1951 and 1962, while winning the bronze medal in 1970.
Stimac wrote on Twitter, "A humble appeal and sincere request to Honourable Prime Minister Sri @narendramodi ji and Hon. Sports Minister @ianuragthakur, to kindly allow our football team to participate in the Asian games We will fight for our nation’s pride and the flag! Jai Hind!"
His note to the PM and sports minister read, "Honourable Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi ji, I am not sure if someone would have briefed you or updated you about the Indian teams participating in the upcoming Asian Games, where the most important and key global sport "football" team has been deprived from participating and representing the Indian flag."
Igor Stimac said that India had hosted the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 and invested heavily in building a very fine new generation of players.
"You have always supported India's dream of playing in the FIFA World Cup one day and I am certain that if we have your continuous support in the manner we have received till date, the day is not far when we will be at the global stage participating in the most prestigious tournaments," added the head coach.
According to him, the team has worked tremendously over the last four years and managed to secure great results to prove that Indian football can achieve much more with the support from stakeholders.
Stimac said, "Your speech about football and Mbappe in your recent visit to France also touched all Indians dreaming and rooting for Indian football."
Stimac said that he wanted to bring PM's immediate attention that the U-17 team from 2017, which also gave a great performance at the U-23 World Cup qualifiers and is one very talented team, is now being deprived of participating in the Asian games.
"This team really needs and deserves the participation. The reasons given are unjust and as India's national team coach, I felt it is important to immediately bring this matter to your and the Hon'ble Sports Minister Anurag Thakur's knowledge. So that you could intervene and help the team participate in the Asian Games," he said.
"There are hopes and prayers of 1 billion Indians for the beautiful game and we need such participation. As our own ministry is denying participation on the context of ranking. Whereas the fact is that our football team is better ranked than some of the other sports teams which have been allowed participation in the Asian games. Also, history and statistics are testimony to the fact that football is one sport where a lower-ranked team has a chance to beat the top-ranked teams," he continued.
Lastly, Stimac appealed to PM Modi and the Union Sports Minister on behalf of the entire Indian Football fraternity, to allow the Indian football team to participate in the Asian games.
"We will fight for our nation's pride and the flag! Jai Hind!," he concluded.
Indian football has had a great year. India has won the Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championship this year. The national senior men's side also rose to the number 100 position in FIFA World Rankings recently.
