'Aise ministry ki koi zaroorat nahi' - Fans react as Indian sports ministry's decision might stop Indian Football team from playing in Asian Games 2023

Indian Football (Source: Twitter)

In a letter to the Indian Olympic Association and all the National Sports Federations, the Indian sports ministry said that they would not send the teams in sports where India is not among the top 8 teams in Asia. “For team events, only those sports which have achieved a ranking up to eighth among participating countries of Asia in the last year should be considered for participation in Asian Games,” said the statement of the Indian Sports Ministry in its letter.

The All India Football Federation has decided to appeal for reconsideration of the decision. “This is a decision taken by the government. So, we have to abide by it. However, we will appeal to the government to reconsider the decision as far as football is concerned,” said AIFF in its statement.

Improvement of Indian Football in recent matches

Indian Football is the 18th-best team in Asia. But the criteria for Football in Asian games since 2002 has been such that only 3 players in a team can be of the age of over 23. All the others in a team must be under 23. Considering the improvement of the Indian young players in the recent matches, AIFF is set to appeal for its case.

“The Indian team's performance this year has been extremely encouraging. It will be a great boost for football, especially for the U-23 boys, if they get an opportunity to play in the Asian Games,” AIFF's statement. The Indian Football team in 2018 was rejected by the Indian Olympic Committee due to the same reason.

There is an opportunity for the sports boards to appeal for reconsideration, which will be exercised by AIFF. “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 is recommended with justifiable reasons, the same will be considered in the Ministry for appropriate decision” Indian sports ministry had said in its statement. It is to be seen if Indian Football would be allowed to take part in the Asian Games.

Here's how the fans reacted to the news:

Sad reality 😭😭😭😭😭

— Kanak Kar (@KanakKar3) July 16, 2023

Ye government ka doglaa pn hai @narendramodi desh ke bahar k player ki taarif karte fir rahe hai khud k desh ki team ko mouke nhi diye ja rahe #indianfootball

— LOGAN (@Shekharonaldo07) July 16, 2023

Aise Ministry Ki Koi Jaroorat Nahi Jo Hame Grow Karne Se Rokta Hai.

— Raju Roy (@BhaktChacha) July 16, 2023

Not good while we are sending cricket teams both men n women we should also send our football team we can send the u23 id we will not play competitive tournament like this how r we gonna improve

— Ankit Nakoti (@nakoti_ankit) July 16, 2023

Wasted opportunity. Because they won't get a chance to improve their rankings till they win games against higher-ranked countries or such tournaments.

What came first - the egg or the chicken?

— TheSameWall (@TheSameWall) July 15, 2023

Khelne doge hi nahi to rating badhegi kaise????? Freee me Ghar baithne ke points nhi milte hai

— Sparsh Sinha (@sparshtwts) July 16, 2023

Not surprised by the decision, It's better to improve our team first and then take on big teams instead of getting trashed.
It's a slow process and we have to trust the process, let's not demotivate ourselves and believe in Indian Football 🇮🇳 ⚽

— Aditya (@Cule_10_adi) July 15, 2023

Cricket won't be able to win trophies, yet investment will be made behind cricket, new stadiums will be built, but football will bring thousands of trophies, yet there will be no investment in that football, football will not be sent anywhere. Cricket is a place of business.

— Suvam Dutta (@SuvamDutta96) July 15, 2023

Agar Jaayenge hi nahi toh CUP layenge kaise…😭😭

— The Real Gujju (@The_Real_Gujju) July 15, 2023

Depressing

— Sid Marchant (@sidmarchant) July 15, 2023