/betbarter/media/agency_attachments/3YXcMKaocLoKtpo5Mw2o.png)
/betbarter/media/post_banners/LxytuGaZAbaSA18RczlM.png)
In a shocking piece of news, the Union Sports Ministry of the Indian government has decided not to send the Indian Football Team to the Asian Games 2023. The decision has come in the aftermath of India’s iconic SAFF Championship 2023 victory after defeating Kuwait in the finals of the tournament.
“Sports Ministry of India snatches away the right of the Indian Football Team to represent the Nation in the Asian Games yet again! In a shocking move, Govt of India decides not to send Indian Football Team as their ranking is not among the top eight nations in Asia!” read the recent tweet posted by Indian Football from their official Twitter handle.
🚨 | Sports Ministry of India snatches away the right of the #IndianFootball Team to represent the Nation in the #AsianGames yet again! 💔
— IFTWC - Indian Football (@IFTWC) July 15, 2023
In a shocking move, Govt of India decides not to send Indian Football Team as their ranking is not among the top eight nations in Asia! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/3pIVBb5cfS
However, this decision from the sports ministry didn’t go down well with ardent Indian football fans and they immediately took to the micro-blogging site Twitter to troll the sports ministry. Fans came up with a lot of trolling remarks for the government of India, especially the sports ministry headed by the Union Minister and former Indian Cricket Board chief, Anurag Singh Thakur.
Here's how fans reacted:
Still politics ruining Indian football 😑😔
— Anandhu Krishnan.R (@Luttukrishnan) July 15, 2023
abe to khelne to doooo
— Harshit Agarwal (@Harshit__agrwl) July 16, 2023
ajeeb hai yaar
Bc ye kya badtameezi hai sarkaar ki?
— Sir Godfather Akatsuki 007 (@_Know_pein) July 15, 2023
Depressing
— Sid Marchant (@sidmarchant) July 15, 2023
Agar Jaayenge hi nahi toh CUP layenge kaise…😭😭
— The Real Gujju (@The_Real_Gujju) July 15, 2023
We the people reject this decision. We want to see Indian Football at the top most priority. No cricket. Enough is enough. Don't test our patience. We want only FOOTBALL. India deserves better in this sport. Playing Asian Cup is a must.
— Nadir Umar Sheikh (@nus786) July 15, 2023
Nonsense decision! Asia cup cancel Karo .
— Sach (@sach_gooner) July 15, 2023
This is very disgusting decision on the basis of ranking the quality of play they are playing is not seen by government if they play like that in Asian Games who knows they player far better that these there and win a medal their ranking will also improved@ianuragthakur
— Akash Tiwari (@mr_tripathi_05) July 15, 2023
The team might not be competitive against top asian teams but how do we know where the team stands, when they don't even send them to play in the first place? Do we win a gold medal in every other sport at the Olympics?
— Tanüj Sangal (@Tanuj_Sangal_) July 16, 2023
Apart from this, AIFF Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran also spoke about this decision of the ministry; he also explained the performance of the team in the last couple of months. "This is a decision taken by the government. So, we have to abide by it. However, we will make an appeal to the government to reconsider the decision as far as football is concerned," said Prabhakaran to PTI.
"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,” he added.
Earlier, the ministry issued a letter stating this decision and clearing the reasons behind the same. Furthermore, they also considered the recommendations from the experts. "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," read the ministry letter.