The Indian Football Team’s participation in the upcoming Asian Games is almost decided. The Indian Government is unwilling to send both the Men’s and Women’s teams to Hangzhou, China for the Asia Games 2023. While the AIFF and Indian Olympic Association continue to discuss the same, former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia believes that the AIFF should pay for the teams should they travel for the Asian Games.
“The AIFF should approach the Sports Ministry, saying that it will bear the expenses if the government allows the teams to participate,” said Bhaichung Bhutia.
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The Indian football team is likely to miss the Asian Games for the second time in a row as it does not meet the Sports Ministry’s criteria of being ranked among the top-8 sides in the continent.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had earlier planned that the national senior team head coach Igor Stimac would take an Under-23 side to the September 23 to October 8 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China after the Kings Cup in Thailand (September 7-10).
Since 2002, football in Asian Games has been an U-23 affair with three players above that age are also permitted in a team. Indian senior football team head coach Igor Stimac on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to allow the national football team to play in the Asian Games in China this year.
AIFF President who was in Paris earlier ths week flew to India to discuss the issue with the Sports Ministry. It has come to notice that the friction between PT Usha, the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) doesn’t want to send the team, while Kalyan Chaubey thinks otherwise.
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“For team events, only those sports which have achieved a ranking up to 8th among participating countries of Asia in the last one year should be considered for participation for the Asian Games,” said the guidelines of the sports ministry that as sent to the IOA and the national federations.
“Where, in the opinion of the experts of specific sports disciplines, and that of the Sports Authority of India, participation of individuals and teams in relaxation of the above criteria is recommended with justifiable reasons, the same will be considered by the ministry for appropriate decisions,” said Kalyan Chaubey.
But Bhaichung’s suggestion of sending the teams to the Asian Games where the AIFF bears the cost, is not a valid option. Like earlier times the AIFF cannot send teams. The apex football govering body of the country can no longer avail the option of travel with ‘no cost togvernment’ as it is not applicable anymore.
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