The Indian men’s and women’s football teams are set to participate at the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China after the Sports Ministry decided to relax the existing selection criteria.
Sports minister Anurag thakur on Wednesday took to his social media handle and wrote,
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
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. I am sure they will put their best foot forward in the Asian Games and make our country proud.
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.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, has decided to relax the rules to facilitate participation of both the…
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) July 26, 2023
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had earlier refused to clear the Indian football teams for the Asian Games on the ground that they were not ranked in the top-8 in Asia. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) then made an appeal to the Sports Ministry to allow the men’s and women’s teams ranked 18th and 11th to take part in the prestigious event with India’s men’s Football team coach, Igor Stimac, also seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention.
