Kalyan Chaubey insists AIFF trying level best to bring OCI players for Indian national team

AIFF revealed to have been in contact with 33 OCI players.

The Indian Football Team‘s recent losses to Hong Kong and Thailand have left the Indian football community in an uproar. A lot of demands are being made on the key changes that must be implemented to save the Blue Tigers from slipping further down the footballing ladder.

One of the major demands now being pushed is for the Indian football team to have some OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) players in the squad. Basically, these players are foreign nationals who have Indian parentage and can use that heritage to represent the Blue Tigers. There are strict rules in place for OCI personnel, especially when it comes to Indian sports.

Also Read: AIFF Press Conference REPLAY: President Kalyan Chaubey addresses media amid growing crisis in Indian Football

AIFF initiate talks with OCI players

In a recent briefing with the media, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey has given an interesting update on the federation’s attempts to bring OCI players to play for the India senior team.

He told the media: “The fans and others have been asking about the OCI players. A lot of the countries ranked below India have used the process of naturalised players and are getting results.”

“The AIFF are in contact with the 33 players who are eligible for the OCI card. Some of them have already received the card, and others, AIFF, are helping with the same. AIFF is trying their best and within their capacity to get the approval and include the players in the squad,” he further added.

AIFF doing everything ‘in their capacity’ to include OCI players

Kalyan Chaubey has also confirmed that the AIFF has had communication with various departments of the Government of India, urging them to allow OCI players to play for the Indian football team.

He claimed that the initial represent from government personnel has been positive and they have shown an indication of approving this, but the process of registering OCI players to become competitive sportspersons for the national team will take time.

“AIFF has commenced communication with various Government departments to allow OCI players to represent India. Initial response has been good, but the process will take time,” said Kalyan Chaubey.

He insists that the AIFF are eager to bring OCI players to play for India, but he said that their hands are tied unless a final approval comes from the government.

“Even if we make a list of 300 OCI players, we cannot go any further unless the green light is given. The AIFF Technical Committee can start their work only when the positive signal comes from the administration,” he also added.

The likes of Blackburn Rovers defender Danny Batth and Heart of Midlothian midfielder Yan Dhanda are some of the OCI footballers who could play for the Blue Tigers if they are given the permission to do the same.

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