Indian football teams get green signal to participate in Asian Games 2023 | Football News

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Wednesday gave green signal to the Indian men’s and women’s football team to take part in the upcoming Asian Games, which will be held in Hangzhou, China during September-October this year. The development comes weeks after it was announced that the football teams will not be taking part in the continental event as per the existing criterion of sports ministry.

However, union sports minister Anurag Thakur delivered great news for fans earlier in the afternoon on Twitter, confirming the participation of both Blue Tigers and Blue Tigress at the showpiece event.

“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,” he tweeted.

It was earlier reported that India were not keen on sending either sides on the basis of the team’s rankings in Asia, which is also home to World Cup regulars Japan, and South Korea among others. The government’s criteria were relaxed after support poured from fans, also national team head coach Igor Stimac, requesting the government to send the squad for the tournament.

Stimac had appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and allow the team’s participation in a lengthy social media post. The fans too got together on various social media platforms and trended hashtags supporting the cause.

The Indian football team doesn’t meet the Sports Ministry’s criteria of being ranked among the top-8 sides in the continent, which was the reason behind them being reluctant from sending the contingent to China.