The Indian football fans received relief as the Sports Ministry reversed its decision and announced that the Indian football team would participate in the upcoming Asian Games. The initial decision not to send the Indian football teams to Asian Games, that decision sparked protests on social media and disappointment among players, fans, and coaches alike.
However, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur made a significant announcement through Twitter, stating that India will now be represented in both the men’s and women’s football categories at the prestigious event. The Asian Games are set to kick off on September 23 in Hangzhou, China.
Good news for Indian football lovers!
Our national football teams, both Men’s and Women’s, are set to participate in the upcoming Asian Games.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, has decided to relax the rules to facilitate participation of both the…
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) July 26, 2023
India’s recent impressive sports performance prompted Thakur to reconsider the team’s participation. Recently the Indian football team has been in great form as India won the Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championship. And in the latest FIFA ranking, India has improved by two places and reached the 99th rank.
To ensure a competitive and promising team, a 50-member Under-23 squad has been announced by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to represent India at the Asian Games. The squad is expected to include prominent names like captain Sunil Chhetri, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and defender Sandesh Jhingan. Apart from these experienced players, all the members of the Asian Games squad will be under 23, reflecting a blend of young talents and seasoned performers.
