The Indian Men’s Football Team have just won 3 international tournaments on the trot. The morale has never been higher and the team is playing some of the best football in its illustrous history. The coach and AIFF finally seem to be on the same page with regards to Indian ambitions to play at the top level of world football. The Sports Ministry has been providing support like never before.
Yet, Indian Football is in the midst of another crisis, through no fault of their own.
In a shocking turn of events, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced that they would not allow the Indian Football Team to participate in the upcoming Asian Games scheduled to be conducted at Hangzhou, China from
The reasons given were even more bizzare – only top 8 ranked teams of the respective sport are allowed to participate to maximise medals according to IOA policy. This was the reason given to justify India’s exclusion from the 2018 Asian Games.
India’s tryst with the Asian Games
India have won the Gold medal in football at the Asian Games twice in 1951 and 1962 as well as bronze medal in 1970. They have the distinction of being the first ever Asian Games Gold medalists and as such have a special relationship with the games. However, after a poor performance in the 1986 games, authorities decided not to send them for upcoming games until 1998. From 2002 onwards, football became an U23 event at the Asian Games in which India have struggles to make it past the group stages. In 2018, the team were denied entry due to them being deemed not good enough to win medals.
Why should India participate?
There are 3 major reasons why it is important that India participate in the Asian Games –
- Comfort in mediocrity – Indian football has become comfortable playing in SAFF Cup and against teams which are generally of a similar ranking. While winning these competitions help boost morale of the team and supporters, they don’t do much in terms of developing players. It is important to expose Indian football to the best the continent has to offer. While the Senior team is due to take part in the AFC Asian Cup in 2024, the Asian Games can provide an important benchmark for Indian footballers. You can never reach the top if your aspirations are to play at a lower level.
- Exposing youth players to the highest levels – Since, it is the U23 team that will be participating it is an excellent opportunity for these young players to get a taste of playing against the best teams of Asia. These players are going to represent the Senior Team for the better part of the next decade. India needs them to be prepared for the journey to the top.
- The unpredictability of the sport – Football is a sport where anything can happen. In fact it one of the reasons why it is the most popular sport on the planet. Just last year, Saudi Arabia beat eventual winners Argentina in the World Cup while Japan beat Germany and Spain in the group stages. Morocco beat Spain and Portugal to make it to the Semi Finals. Chances are that India crashes out in the group stages of the Asian Games. However, there is also a possibility that the players put up a fight that might just take them further….and isn’t that what we love to see.
The Great Indian Inferiority Complex
The fans, players, coaching staff, and AIFF are all raring to go. Govt support has been more than satisfactory while the FIFA President has even referred to India as the sleeping giant of football. Yet, such decisions are taken arbitrarily by bureaucrats and politicians in the IOA and Sports Ministry with no real understanding of how sports works.
2 steps forward, 1 step back.
This stems from an inferiority complex which I am sad to say is still rooted in the minds of a lot of Indians. There exists a belief among some, especially those in our power circles that Indians can’t compete with the best. Many people believe India can never be as good as the best and we must merely accept our fate as lesser beings. The British left 75 years ago, but it seems Indians are yet to realize it.
India might get knocked out in the group stages, but the belief that we deserve to play in the big leagues should always remain. If football and Indian sports is to progress, the inferiority complex needs to be shed just like cricket has done successfully.
Why the controversy now but not in 2018?
The interest in sports and football has never been as high especially after India’s splendid performance in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The football ecosystem is growing faster than ever and there are more players entering the grassroots, more aspiring coaches studying to obtain their licenses, more debate amongst fans, and a passionate coaching staff who are dedicated to the cause. Recently, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Finals, it was as if the entire country had come to a standstill. Football has arrived in India and deserves the support it needs to conquer the world.
What Next?
Head Coach Igor Stimac, AIFF President Kalyan Choubey, and AIFF General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran have appealed to IOA and the Indian Government to allow the team to take part in the Asian games. Furthermore, according to reports the Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur has lobbied the IOA to scrap the ‘Top 8 ranking’ rule for Asian Games. However, it is important that fans also be vocal and call on the authorities to reverse this illogical decision. I humbly request all fans to use the hashtag #IndianFootballTeamForAsianGames to show your support on you social media.
Indian football is a crucial stage where it is ready to take off into previous unknown heights. Such irrational decisions only tend to hold back the potential of the sport. If India is to become a major force in world football, the policy making needs to become rational and free from a fear of failure.
