Football is set to represent India in the 2023 Asian Games after the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports approved both men’s and women’s teams to compete. This announcement comes only weeks after it was revealed that the two teams will not compete in the continental event due to existing criteria of the sports ministry. It prompted a large protest, with numerous prominent figures from the Indian footballing community showing up and urging with the authorities to allow the Sunil Chhetri and Ashalata Devi-led squads to play.
Anurag Thakur, the union sports minister, finally broke the news that Indian football fans had been waiting for on Wednesday, announcing that both Blue Tigers and Blue Tigress will be competing in the showpiece event, in light of their recent series of outstanding performances.
“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 teams, which were not qualifying as per the existing criterion. Keeping in mind their latest performances in the recent times, the Ministry decided to grant the relaxation. I am sure they will put their best foot forward in the Asian Games and make our country proud,” he tweeted.