PANJIM: Finally, the cloud of uncertainty was laid to rest on Wednesday as the Sports Ministry decided to relax the existing selection criteria thus enabling the Indian men’s as well as women’s football teams to participate in the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
“Good news for Indian football lovers. Our national football teams, both men’s and women’s, are set to participate in the upcoming Asian Games,” Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said on Wednesday.”
Goa’s representative in AIFF, Valanka Alemao hailed the decision of the Government and singled out president Kalyan Chaubey for obtaining the exemption. She highlighted that Kalyan had made a special appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, to allow the football teams to participate in the Asian Games. Then, it was also the head coach Igor Stimac who also had made a strong case for India’s participation promising to fight for India’s pride, she added.
Valanka recalled that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had refused to give the green signal for the football teams for the Asian Games on the ground that they were not ranked in the top-8 in Asia.
“Kalyan took up the matter first with Home Minister Amit Shah and followed it up with the Prime Minister to allow the two teams to take part in the prestigious event. It speaks volumes about president Kalyan’s resourcefulness and vision making a strong case for the relaxation of the rules to facilitate participation of both teams which were not qualifying as per the existing criterion,” Valanka pointed out.
“It is not a relaxation due to political closeness, but due to the fact that India has had an excellent performance record of late as was proved in the 2023 SAFF championship, where India beat Lebanon in the finals,” reasoned out Valanka.
The performances of the India team in the last quarter have been very good and encouraging, and these weighed in India’s favour, and the Sports Minister reconsidered their earlier decision,” remarked Valanka.
Valanka also referred to the proviso in the Sports Ministry’s regulations sent to the IOA and NSFs, “Where, in the opinion of the experts of specific sports disciplines, and that of 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 in the Ministry for appropriate decision.”
“It is for our boys and girls to further raise their standards and make India proud, although it will be an Under-23 team with three players above the age being permitted in the squad. They will have to work hard and smart, they will have to raise the bar as India had no place in team events as we were not among the best eight in Asia as per the norms for participation.
India is currently in the 18th position in Asia in men’s and 11th in women’s,” pointed out Valanka, adding that the AIFF is likely to play in King’s Cup in Thailand from September 7-10 for exposure also, before going for Asian Games from September 23 to October 8.
Meanwhile, Kalyan thanked the ministry for relaxing the selection criteria. “Happy to inform that Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs, & IOA have confirmed @indianfootball’s participation at #AsianGames I thank Sh @narendramodi sir Sh@ianuragthakur ji & GoI for their support Equally important to our fans for your resolute for #IndianFootball,” Chaubey tweeted.
