Indian Football Team are set to participate in the Asian Games 2022. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur took to Twitter to share the news. The development comes after AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey had earnestly campaigned for the same.
” 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. ” Anurag Thakur wrote.
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With some outstanding performances, the men’s squad won the Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Cup in quick succession. In April, the women’s team defeated Kyrgyzstan over two legs to win their opening round of Olympic qualifying.
In order to allow the squad to play, head coach Igor Stimac pleaded with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sports minister Anurag Thakur to intervene. Stimac will lead the team in the Asian Games.
The Indian team will now compete in the Asian Games for the first time since 2014 after being disqualified from the Jakarta 2018 Games based on the same grounds. The U-23 football competition at the Asian Games allows for the inclusion of three players older than that age.
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AIFF President Mr Kalyan Chaubey said, “It’s indeed an important day for Indian Football and a testament to our resolution to develop the sport in India. We thank the Government of India and the Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs for their support. For providing special compensation to Indian Football for the 19th Asian Games.
“Indian Football has been on an unprecedented rise recently. I believe this impetus will further boost our players’ morale in all upcoming events. It’s my honour to represent the All India Football Federation. Moments like this, further encourage us to continue developing the ecosystem in the country.”
The Indian men’s team Head Coach Igor Stimac said: “It’s a great day for Indian football. An enormously encouraging decision by the honourable Sports Minister Anurag Thakur ji and our government. Big thanks to all of them for allowing us the opportunity to challenge the best teams in the Asian Games.”
“I will also like to give a big thanks to our President, Mr. Kalyan Chaubey, Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran and all the others for this.”
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The Indian Men’s Team has a long history in the Asian Games, having won the gold medal in the first competition in 1951. A second-place result in 1962 and a bronze medal at the 1970 Olympics came after that. For fans of Indian football, the 1951 Asian Games remain particularly memorable. The event was held in New Delhi, India, and the Blue Tigers won the tournament there.
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