Justice for Indian National Football Team - allow them to play the Asian Games
The Issue
The Indian football team is unlikely to play in the Asian Games for the second consecutive time as it does not meet the Sports Ministry’s criteria of being among the top-8 sides in the continent.
The Indian men’s national football team has climbed further in the latest FIFA World Rankings, rising from 101 to 100, surpassing Lebanon and New Zealand very recently.
This is the first time the Blue Tigers have made it to the top 100 of the global rankings and since December 20, 2018 when they were 99th. And for head coach Igor Stimac, it is another feather in the cap, with the side gearing up for the next FIFA World Cup qualifiers after winning the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru.
However, India is currently in the 18th spot among countries under the Asian Football Confederation. The AIFF said it will appeal to the Sports Ministry to reconsider the decision and AIFF general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran seemed confident that the team would get a nod from the IOA.
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”.
Today I appeal on behalf of every football lovers of India to give justice to our national football team by allowing them to play Asian Games.
Petition Closed
The Issue
The Indian football team is unlikely to play in the Asian Games for the second consecutive time as it does not meet the Sports Ministry’s criteria of being among the top-8 sides in the continent.
The Indian men’s national football team has climbed further in the latest FIFA World Rankings, rising from 101 to 100, surpassing Lebanon and New Zealand very recently.
This is the first time the Blue Tigers have made it to the top 100 of the global rankings and since December 20, 2018 when they were 99th. And for head coach Igor Stimac, it is another feather in the cap, with the side gearing up for the next FIFA World Cup qualifiers after winning the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru.
However, India is currently in the 18th spot among countries under the Asian Football Confederation. The AIFF said it will appeal to the Sports Ministry to reconsider the decision and AIFF general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran seemed confident that the team would get a nod from the IOA.
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”.
Today I appeal on behalf of every football lovers of India to give justice to our national football team by allowing them to play Asian Games.
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Petition created on 18 July 2023