New Delhi: The Indian football team is facing disappointment as it is expected to miss the upcoming Asian Games for the second time in a row. The team does not meet the criteria set by the Sports Ministry, which requires a ranking among the top eight sides in the continent.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had initially planned for the national senior team head coach, Igor Stimac, to lead an Under-23 side to the Asian Games scheduled to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8. This decision followed the team’s participation in the Kings Cup in Thailand, scheduled for September 7-10.
Since 2002, football at the Asian Games has been limited to Under-23 teams, with a provision allowing three players above the age limit to be included in each team.
In a letter addressed to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and all National Sports Federations (NSFs), the Sports Ministry emphasised that “only those sports that have achieved a ranking up to eighth among participating countries of Asia in the last one year should be considered for participating in the Asian Games” for team events.
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