The men's football national team coach Igor Stimac has penned an emotional letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to allow the team to participate in the Asian Games.
Last week, the Indian Sports Ministry denied the Indian football team to participate in the Asian Games as it did not meet the Sports Ministry's criteria of being ranked amongst the top-8 sides in the continent. (More Football News)
In the wake of this event, the Indian football coach Igor Stimac has penned an emotional note mentioning the Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow the team to participate at the Asian Games.
He tweeted, "A humble appeal and sincere request to Honourable Prime Minister Sri @narendramodi ji and Hon. Sports Minister @ianuragthakur, to kindly allow our football team to participate in the Asian games 🙏🏽 We will fight for our nation’s pride and the flag! 🇮🇳 Jai Hind!
The tweet also included a note from Stimac.
In a letter sent to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and all the National Sports Federations (NSFs), the Sports Ministry has said that "for team events, only those sports which have achieved a ranking up to eighth among participating countries of Asia in the last one year should be considered for participation in Asian Games".
The AIFF had said it will appeal to the sports ministry to reconsider the decision.
"This is a decision taken by the government. So, we have to abide by it. However, we will make an appeal to the government to reconsider the decision as far as football is concerned," AIFF Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran.
"The Indian team’s performance this year has been extremely encouraging. It will be a great boost for football, especially for the U-23 boys, if they get an opportunity to play in the Asian Games."
Previously, The IOA had refused to clear the Indian football team for the 2018 Asian Games on the same ground that it was not ranked in the top-8 in Asia.
There is a provision in the Sports Ministry's instructions sent to the IOA and NSFs, which could give a ray of hope to the AIFF headed by Kalyan Chaubey.
“Where, in the opinion of the experts of specific sports disciplines, and that of Sports Authority of India, participation of individuals and teams in relaxation of the above criteria is recommended with justifiable reasons, the same will be considered in the Ministry for appropriate decision," the ministry letter said.
The Indian football team recently lifted the Intercontinental Cup as well as won the SAFF Cup Championship.
(With PTI inputs)