Head coach of the Indian football team, Igor Stimac, has written an emotional letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, appealing for the team’s participation in the upcoming Asian Games. The Indian football team is set to miss out on the continental event for the second consecutive season due to their poor ranking, which does not meet the Sports Ministry’s criterion for participation.
Stimac took to Twitter to share his plea, saying, “A humble appeal and sincere request to Honourable Prime Minister Sri @narendramodi ji and Hon. Sports Minister @ianuragthakur, to kindly allow our football team to participate in the Asian games.”
In his letter, Stimac expressed his disappointment at the team’s exclusion, highlighting India’s efforts in hosting the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 and investing in the development of young players. He emphasized the Prime Minister’s support for Indian football’s aspirations to participate in the FIFA World Cup and acknowledged the progress made by the national team in the last four years.
Stimac specifically mentioned the U-17 team, which performed well in the U-23 World Cup qualifiers, stressing that they deserve the opportunity to compete in the Asian Games. He argued that the reasons given for their exclusion are unjust and called for the intervention of the Prime Minister and the Sports Minister to rectify the situation.
The coach pointed out that the Indian football team’s ranking is higher than some of the other sports teams that have been granted participation in the Asian Games. He highlighted the unpredictable nature of football, where lower-ranked teams often have the potential to defeat higher-ranked opponents.
The Asian Games are scheduled to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8, with football competitions commencing on September 19. The Indian football fraternity, representing the hopes and prayers of millions of Indians, seeks the team’s participation in this prestigious event to showcase the country’s talent and passion for the beautiful game.
Stimac’s letter underscores the desire for support from all stakeholders, including the government, to elevate Indian football and provide opportunities for the team to compete on the global stage. The coach’s appeal aims to secure the nation’s pride and the honor of the Indian flag as the team represents the country in international competitions.
As the Indian government continues to evaluate the request, football enthusiasts and supporters hope that the Indian football team will be granted the opportunity to participate in the Asian Games, enabling them to showcase their skills, passion, and determination on a prominent continental platform.
