The Indian football team is unlikely to participate in the Asian Games 2023 for the second time in a row, as they do not meet the Sports Ministry’s criteria of being ranked among the top eight teams in the continent. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had initially planned for national senior team head coach Igor Stimac to lead the Under-23 team in the Asian Games, which will be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8. However, India’s current ranking of 18th among the Asian Football Confederation countries falls short of the required top-eight position.
The AIFF has expressed its disappointment with the decision and intends to appeal to the Sports Ministry to reconsider. AIFF Secretary General, Shaji Prabhakaran, stated, The Indian team’s performance this year has been extremely encouraging. It will be a great boost for football, especially for the U-23 boys, if they get an opportunity to play in the Asian Games.
Football at the Asian Games has been an U-23 affair since 2002, with teams allowed to have three players older than 23. The Sports Ministry’s letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and National Sports Federations (NSFs) stated that only sports ranking in the top eight in Asia over the past year should be considered for participation in team events at the Asian Games.
The IOA had previously declined to clear the Indian football team for the 2018 Asian Games due to their failure to be ranked in the top eight in Asia.
The AIFF’s appeal will aim to demonstrate the positive progress made by the Indian team and highlight the potential benefits of their participation in the Asian Games, particularly for the U-23 players. Whether the Sports Ministry will reconsider its decision remains to be seen.
This news underscores the challenges faced by the Indian football team in establishing themselves as a competitive force in Asia. With a ranking outside the top eight, India will miss out on the opportunity to represent the nation at the Asian Games 2023, leaving fans and players disappointed. However, the AIFF’s appeal reflects the determination to continue striving for recognition and the chance to showcase India’s football talent on the Asian stage.
