PANJIM: The prospects of India fielding its football team at the forthcoming Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 20 to October 8 appear to have brightened with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) sending their registrations to the Government. And, there could even be a big surprise, as it also covers the women’s team.
The final clearance for football to be included in the Asiad rests entirely with the Government as the sport does not fulfill the selection criteria of Asiad established by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.
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But it is under the exception clause that relaxation could be granted as the guidelines state: “Where, in the opinion of experts of specific sports disciplines, and that of the Sports Authority of India, the participation of individuals and teams in the relaxation of criteria above is recommended with justifiable reasons, the same will be considered by the Ministry for appropriate decisions.”
According to government guidelines, “For team events, only sports that have achieved a ranking of up to eight among participating countries from Asia in the past year, should be considered for participation in the Asian Games.”
India is ranked 100th in men’s FIFA rankings and 60th in women’s. The performance of the National team in the last three championships has been excellent. No doubt, football is on the upswing in the country. That apart, the environment is also friendly. Ruling BJP politician Kalyan Chaubey is the head of affairs at the AIFF. He is also a powerful co-secretary and interim CEO of the IOA. He could convince the government to make an exception and send the football teams to the Asian Games.
India is expected to send the biggest contingent for the forthcoming Asian Games. About 8,000 athletes have been nominated by IOA as on the deadline expired on July 15. The government has upto July 26 to withdraw bids submitted to organizers if it believes teams in certain sports do not have medal potential or do not meet the selection criteria. After July 26, entries cannot be withdrawn and a final list of contingents will be prepared.
For the Jakarta Asad in 2018, the IOA had appointed a contingent of 524 members in 36 sports disciplines. Following final athlete selection, coaches and support staff will be appointed – they will make up 33 percent of the total contingent size. The government is yet to decide on the number of sports disciplines the Indian contingent will participate in.
Football was banned from Jakarta Asiad even after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had offered to send the national team at its expense. At that time, Narinder Dhruv Batra was the president of the IOA, and he felt that the football teams were incompetent to win medals.
India’s men’s football team is ranked 18th and women’s 10th in Asia. For men’s football at the Games, the national U-23 team participates but three players from the team may be aged 23 and over. For women, there is no age limit.
Meanwhile, Churchill Bros President, Churchill Alemao complimented the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey for his selfless efforts in seeking an exemption, based solely on the splendid performance of India recently, especially at the 14th SAFF Championship, which could pave the way for the India football team in the Asiad. “Kalyan must be given full support and endorsement. He wants to make a meaningful change for the sake of football players as well as the clubs, football afficionados. I am sure he has the full support of the entire football fraternity and also the other sports lovers,” he added.
Senior GFA vice-president and chairman of Competitions Committee, Anthony Pango, was in full agreement with the AIFF’s move for seeking an exemption. “Given that the sole beneficiaries are football players, it is football that stands to benefit. Kalyan’s is a brilliant move given its objective. Certainly, football needs to be given a breakthrough to further raise its performance and competing against the best of Asia is a way forward,” he added. “It will set a new process for the upliftment of football in India,” said Pango.
Schubert Furtado, GFA’s treasurer, pointed out that football in India is now on the upswing with even the youth teams having raised the bar recently. “Unless one performs creditably at a higher level and brush shoulders with the best after doing proper homework, and adopt a sound strategy, one cannot rise to the top,” remarked the Navelim-based official even as he pleaded that youth championships need to be broad-based so that greater exposure is availed as part of long term development plan, which he said the GFA had now adopted.
To produce elite players is a bye-product of Baby Leagues and Grassroots. Unless the youngsters are motivated and see that football in India compares favourably with the best of Asia to start with, not many would be inclined to take up to the game, and much less retain interest in it, explained Francisco Nunes, GFA Executive Member and Chairman of Baby Leagues and Grassroots. Consequently, the AIFF must be lauded in their efforts to get football at the top Asian level first. It is part of the process, Nunes said.
Coach Peter Vales emphasised that the National teams must compete at the continental level first in order to gauge one’s standard. Unless one rubs shoulders with your equals or superiors, one cannot gauge one’s position. The AIFF has shown a visionary path, stated Vales.
Griffin Fernandes, president, Fabiana Grassroots Academy, Margao, highlighted that exposure and experience are some of the vital cornerstones for progress. “Basically, the players will ultimately stand to improve on their performance, getting to play tough matches and face highly rated opponents. It’s part of the learning process as India has a long road ahead in football. Kalyan must be backed to the hilt for seeking an exemption. “
Former international Cowan Lourenco, who has now donned the mantle of a coach in Margao, stressed that players must be given a chance to participate in a highly, technically proficient championship wherein the best of Asia are involved. That will help one to gauge its standard and then implement ways and methods to raise its standards. It has to be a continuous and comprehensive process. Proper level of higher competition is paramount for improvement, Cowan stressed.
Fr Wilfred Fernandes of Don Bosco’s Parra, explained that it’s not the silverware that is more important at the moment. “One cannot forget that the players get more exhilarated when the stakes are highest and the rewards are greatest. The very participation at the top Asian level, is in itself a big boost for the football players, enthusiasts, stakeholders and it could be a positive catalyst for the overall growth of the game in our country, provided the momentum is not only maintained but also raised further to a higher exponential level.”
