Coach Igor Stimac seeks Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention for Indian football team’s participation in Asian Games | More sports News – Times of India

India’s head coach, Igor Stimac, has made an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging his intervention to ensure the national football team’s participation in the upcoming Asian Games, even though they do not meet the selection criteria.
Originally, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) intended for Stimac to lead an Under-23 squad to the Hangzhou event, scheduled to commence on September 23.But due to theIndian football team’s failure to meet the Sports Ministry’s requirement of being ranked among the top-8 teams, they are currently on track to miss out on the continental competition.
“I wanted to bring to your immediate attention that our U-17 team from 2017, which also gave a great performance at the U-23 World Cup qualifiers and is one very talented team, is now being deprived from participating in the Asian games,” Stimac wrote in a lengthy social media post.

Besides Modi, Stimac also appealed to Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.
“This team really needs and deserves the participation. The reasons given are unjust and as India’s national team coach, I felt it’s important to immediately bring this matter to your and the Hon’ble Sports Minister Anurag Thakur’s knowledge, so that you could intervene and help the team participate in the Asian Games.”
India is currently ranked 18th among countries under the Asian Football Confederation.
“As our own ministry is denying the participation on the context of ranking, whereas the fact is that our football team is better ranked than some of the other sports teams which have been allowed participation in the Asian games.
“Also, history and statistics are testimony to the fact that football is one sport where a lower-ranked team has a chance to beat the top-ranked teams,” the Croatian wrote.

The Sports Ministry has communicated via a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and all the National Sports Federations (NSFs) stating that only sports that have attained a ranking up to eighth among participating Asian countries within the past year should be eligible for participation in team events at the Asian Games.
Since 2002, football at the Asian Games has been restricted to players under the age of 23, with the allowance of three players above that age in each team.
“India hosted the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 and invested heavily in building a very fine new generation of players
“You have always supported India’s dream of playing in FIFA World Cup one day and I am certain that if we have your continuous support in the manner we have received till date, the day is not far when we will be at the global stage participating in the most prestigious tournaments,” Stimac said in his request to the Prime Minister.
“We as a national team have worked extremely hard in the last 4 years and managed some great results, proving that we can achieve more if we get the support from all stakeholders.”

(AI image)
The instructions from the Sports Ministry, directed to the IOA and NSFs, include a provision that could potentially provide a glimmer of hope for the football team.
“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 (top 8) is recommended with justifiable reasons, the same will be considered in the Ministry for appropriate decision,” the ministry letter said.
Just last week, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the immense popularity of French footballer Kylian Mbappe among the youth in India, referring to him as a “superhit.”
The PM further emphasized that Mbappe is likely to be recognized by a larger number of people in India than even in his home country of France, emphasizing his significant influence on Indian football enthusiasts.
“Your speech about football and Mbappe in your recent visit to France also touched all Indians dreaming and rooting for Indian football.
“So my humble appeal and sincere request on behalf of the entire Indian football fraternity to you, to kindly allow our football team to participate in the Asian Games,” Stimac concluded.
(With agency inputs)