India’s football coach seeks PM Modi's intervention for football team's participation at Asian Games
India head coach Igor Stimac on Monday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention for the national football team's participation at the upcoming Asian Games despite not meeting the selection criteria. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had planned that Stimac would take an Under-23 side to the Asian Games in Hangzhou event, starting from September 23. However, since the Indian football team does not meet the Sports Ministry's criteria of being ranked among the top-8 sides, it is set to miss the continental event.
«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.
Read more on economictimes.indiatimes.com
