Indian Football Teams To Play In 2022 Asian Games
- Posted on July 26, 2023
- News
- By Sunshine
- 495 Views

In
September, the Indian men's and women's football teams will compete in the
Asian Games again after a six-year hiatus. The Sports Ministry has waived the
requirement that teams be ranked in the top eight on their continent in order
to compete.
By
formally appealing to the Sports Ministry, the All India Football Federation
(AIFF) was instrumental in gaining this chance. Both teams have performed
exceptionally well over the past few months, earning their spots in the coveted
competition. Currently, the women's team is ranked 11th while the men's squad
is ranked 18th.
The decision was announced on Twitter by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who
said that the government would loosen the restrictions so that both men's and
women's teams may compete. This exemption is great news for Indian football,
giving players and coaches more motivation to succeed.

The
men's team made a bold statement by winning the Intercontinental Cup and the
South American Football Federation Cup in quick succession. However, the
women's team won the first round of Olympic qualifying with a convincing
two-legged victory over Kyrgyzstan.
Igor
Stimac will lead the national men's team as head coach in the Asian Games.
Stimac, along with the squad, had beseeched Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to intervene on their behalf so that they may
take part in the competition.

Football in the Asian Games is
played according to a U-23 format, with each team permitted three players older
than the minimum age requirement. Due to the aforementioned rules, Indian teams
were not eligible to compete at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
The
timely action of the Sports Ministry has given Indian football a priceless
chance to once again participate on the continental level. The forthcoming
Asian Games should provide a fantastic showcase for the teams' skills and
dedication, encouraging further growth and development of the sport across the
country.
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