No Indian Football Teams in Asian Games: Why and what next? | Analysis

The Indian Football teams (both men and women) have failed to meet the criteria set by the Sports Ministry of the Govt of India.

In what comes as a disappointing yet expected news for Indian Football, the Indian National Football Team (both men and women) are debarred from participating in the upcoming edition of the Asian Games. There was a good feeling developed around Indian football recently after the men’s team produced very good results in the Hero Intercontinental Cup and the Bangabandhu SAFF Championship.

The current edition of the Asian Games is scheduled to take place in Hangzou city of China. In this article we will look at the reason why the Indian Football Teams will not be able to participate in the Asian Games.

Why no participation in Asian Games?

According to the circulars forwarded by the Government of India to all the Sports Governing bodies in India on 15th July, including the AlFF, only those national teams which are in the top 8 of the continent would be cleared to participate in the Asian Games.

Unfortunately, the men’s National Football Team is ranked 17th in the continental rankings (18th in AFC  which includes Australia) and the women’s National Football Team is currently ranked at 10th position in the continent (11th in AFC which includes Australia). Meaning, both the teams are debarred to qualify for the Asian games which will be played between 24th September to 8th October.

Possible exceptions and what next?

The doors for participation aren’t really closed for the respective football teams as the Government of India does allow some exceptions and relaxations. There is a provision in the Sports Ministry which reads , "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 Central Government in the past have allowed the Men’s national handball team which did not fulfil the criteria in the last Continental Games but were allowed to participate. The AIFF now, will have a task on their hands to convince the Sports Ministry to allow them to participate in the Asian Games.

Reactions from the AIFF

The Secretary General of the AIFF, Shaji Prabhakaran in his statement to the Press Trust of India confirmed that the Federation will appeal to the Government on the decision and will request to allow them to participate. “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,” he quipped.

Furthermore, he went on and added, "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."

Conclusion

The realistic chances of participation of football in Asian Games are looking quite slim at the moment unless the individuals appointed by the Ministry relax the criteria for the football teams. However, it’s worth noting that the Men’s event is an U-23 event as the games do not fall in the FIFA window and even if the Ministry provides the approval, AIFF will have to convince the ISL and the I-League clubs to release the players for the Asian Games.