After the All India Football Federation (AIFF) filed an appeal, the sports ministry later cleared both sides by lowering the standards. Igor Stimac, the head coach, had also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get involved in the situation.
For the men’s and women’s teams to be included in the 2018 Asian Games, national federation head Kalyan Chaubey noted that Indian football has made “rapid strides in recent past” and that there has been a rise in public interest in the sport. The men’s and women’s football teams from India were initially in doubt about competing in the Hangzhou Games since they didn’t meet the sports ministry’s requirement to submit teams who were among the top-8 on the continent.
Following an appeal by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the sports ministry eventually cleared both teams by easing the criterion. Head coach Igor Stimac had also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s help in the affair.
“In recent years, Indian football has made rapid strides.” We have evolved as a nation in football, raising our FIFA rating and winning three back-to-back international titles,” AIFF president Chubey told PTI in an interview.
The Indian men’s team won the tri-nation tournament, Intercontinental Cup, and SAFF Championships earlier this year and dropped down below 100 in the FIFA rankings for the first time since 2018, indicating consistent growth.
“The combined viewership of the SAFF Championship on our YouTube channel saw an impressive influx of fan participation, and our women’s team advanced to Round 2 of Olympic qualifying,” said Chaubey, a former India custodian.
“It’s heartening to see the entire nation witnessing and supporting the rise of Indian football in recent months.” This all added up to a convincing argument for us to submit to the central leadership.” India is currently rated 18th in the Asian Football Confederation. However, India is placed 13th out of 23 competing countries in the Asian Games, while higher-ranked countries such as Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Jordan are not participating. Australia, rated third, is not represented at the Asian Games.
Chaubey also reaffirmed that India will send the best senior men’s team available, led by the talismanic Sunil Chhetri, and that the country should expect a great showing at the Asian Games, which will be held from 23 September to 8 October.
Head coach Igor Stimac will also lead the team as the country returns to the Asian Games football competition after missing out in 2018.
Chhetri, along with numerous other current senior players, will be part of the Asian Games team as one of three over-aged players, according to PTI.
“This is correct (Chhetri joining the team).” We want to send the best national team members for both the men’s and women’s competitions. It is a question of prestige for India to field the most competitive team’, Chaubey told PTI in an interview.
“Having Sunil Chhetri lead this team will add a lot of value.” Coach Igor Stimac’s experience will also be useful in preparation for the event.” The other two over-age players are projected to be India’s number one custodian, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and defensive mainstay Sandesh Jhingan.
The Asian Games football competition is an Under-23 affair, but due to the one-year delay, the organisers have allowed those who are 24 years old, with the cut off date of birth set at January 1, 1999.
This meant that, in addition to the senior three of Chhetri, Gurpreet, and Jhingan, at least a half-dozen players from the team that won the SAFF Championships earlier this month might be selected for the Asian Games.
“Asian Games participation is significant in the current context of Indian football.” There is a sense of optimism surrounding Indian football, and I believe the Asian Games results will provide more momentum for the sport’s expansion in India.
“After nine years, the men’s and women’s teams will be seen at the Asian Games.” Unfortunately, the difference is too wide for Indian football to attempt,” Chaubey remarked.
He stated that the government’s approval of the football teams will provide a much-needed boost to the country’s development of the sport.
“This was much needed.” “The Indian team is strong tactically, physically, and mentally,” he remarked.
“I was very impressed with the fitness levels of our national men’s team during the Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Cup.” The lads are in excellent physical and mental condition. Whereas our opponents were labouring on the pitch, we were playing back-to-back 120-minute games and showed no signs of tiredness.” When asked if it would be difficult to have the players freed by their clubs for the Asian Games, he stated, “All our stakeholders are like-minded football administrators who wish well for Indian football.”
“Their contributions have been enormous in the growth of Indian football, and our collective motto has been ‘India First.'”
“I believe we will need to sit down and discuss our domestic calendar to ensure that existing club competitions are not jeopardised.”
“This has been a new dawn for Indian football, and we will continue to work together to develop the sport.” The participation of stakeholders is as crucial as the support of our supporters in this journey.” The men’s team is in Group A with China, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, and the top two teams will advance to the knockout round.
