Asian Games: Indian football teams given green signal to compete at Hangzhou 2023

The IOA had also refused to grant permission to the Indian football team for the 2018 Asian Games on the same grounds that it was not ranked in the top-8 in Asia.

Members of the Indian football team celebrate after a victory. (PHOTO: Twitter/IndianFootball)

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After weeks of uncertainty over their participation at the Asian Games later this year, the Indian men’s and women’s football teams will be travelling to Hangzhou after all to compete in the continental event. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur made the announcement on Twitter on Wednesday.

“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,” Thakur said in the post.

There was a question mark over the participation of both Indian teams at the Asian Games because the Sports Ministry had initially stipulated, via a communique to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and all the National Sports Federations (NSFs), that “for team events, only those sports which have achieved a ranking up to eighth among participating countries of Asia in the last one year should be considered for participation in Asian Games”.

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…

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) July 26, 2023

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India are currently in the 18th spot among countries under the Asian Football Confederation. The IOA had also refused to grant permission to the Indian football team for the 2018 Asian Games on the same grounds, that it was not ranked in the top-8 in Asia.

Had the opportunity to meet Sh @ianuragthakur ji Hon Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, today evening to apprise him on #IndianFootball & discuss the scope.@indianfootball pic.twitter.com/NenaWXMLKQ

— Kalyan Chaubey (@kalyanchaubey) July 20, 2023

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The AIFF had initially shortlisted 40 players for the tournament, which is meant for Under-23 players with three footballers over that specified age allowed in the squad.

The Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8 but the football competition will begin on September 19.