Indian men’s and women’s team is set to represent India at the 2024 Asian games after the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports gave the green signal to participate at the prestigious event.
This announcement comes weeks after it was announced that both the teams will not be taking part in the games, the team fails to meet the criteria set by the sports ministry of being ranked in top 8 in Asia.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), headed by PT Usha, had previously declined to allow the Indian football teams for the Asian Games, stating that it would follow the ministry guidelines.
Many well-known members of the Indian football community showed up and made a public request to the authorities to approve the Sunil Chhetri and Ashalata Devi-led teams.
Anurag Thakur, the union sports minister, finally on Wednesday made the announcement that Indian football fans had been waiting for, confirming that both Blue Tigers and Blue Tigress would be competing in Asian games, in light of their recent series of outstanding performances.
AIFF President Mr Kalyan Chaubey said it is a big day for Indian football, and it shows how committed they are to rowing the game here. He also thanked the Government of India and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs for their assistance and for giving Indian Football special compensation for the 19th Asian Games.
The AIFF Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran said that the government’s approval of both men’s and women’s football teams competing in the Asian Games is very promising for Indian football and they will keep working hard in order to achieve success both on and off the pitch and fulfil the objectives of the “Strategic Roadmap Vision 2047”.
The Indian men’s team Head Coach Igor Stimac said that it is a great day for Indian football, and thanked Minister Anurag Thakur for his encouragement and for giving a chance to compete against the top Asian teams. He also extended his gratitude to AIFF president Mr. Kalyan Chaubey and Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran.
Three players over the age of 23 are allowed in the starting XI for football, which has been a U-23 event at the Asian Games since 2002. The age restriction was raised by one year as a result of the Games being delayed by a year as a result of the Covid-19 problem in China. Players born on or after January 1, 1999 would have been qualified if the competition had taken place as planned last year. Those born in 1999 will still be eligible after Hangzhou’s decision.
The Indian Men’s Team has a long history at the Asian Games, having won gold in the first competition in 1951, followed by another top result in 1962, and a bronze medal at the 1970 competitions. Fans of Indian football still hold a particular place in their hearts for the 1951 Asian Games, which were held in New Delhi and were hosted by India, when the Blue Tigers won the tournament.
