India's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has cleared the way for Indian football teams to participate in the Asian Games 2023. Both men's and women's national football teams will participate in the 19th edition of the multi-sport tournament starting on September 23 in Hangzhou.
Union minister Anurag Thakur confirmed the Indian football teams' participation in the Asiad after a series of protests from Indian football fans to allow national teams to feature in the mega tournament. He revealed that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has relaxed the rules to facilitate the participation of both teams.
"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," Anurag Thakur wrote in his Tweet.
"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," Anurag Thakur added.
Indian men's national football team ranks 18th in Asia and only the top eight teams from the continent are eligible to participate in the tournament. But considering Blue Tigers' recent glory in SAFF Championship 2023 and their boost to the top 100 in FIFA rankings, head coach Igor Stimac and captain Sunil Chhetri appealed to the government to intervene.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey confirmed his meeting with Anurag Thakur on July 20. AIFF also reportedly requested The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to allow national football teams to participate in the Asian Games 2023. Chaubey replied to Thakur's Tweet and thanked the Indian government for their effort to allow Indian football teams to participate in Asiad.
