Indian Football gears up for Asian Games 2023; Chhetri and Stimac lead the charge

New Delhi: Indian football is set to make its mark in the upcoming Asian Games, with the men’s and women’s teams receiving clearance for participation. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) successfully appealed to the sports ministry, which later relaxed the criteria for team selection. The Asian Games organizers allowed the participation of teams ranked outside the top-8 in the continent.

The Indian men’s team, captained by the talismanic Sunil Chhetri, has been making notable strides in recent times. They claimed victory in the tri-nation tournament, Intercontinental Cup, and SAFF Championships while improving their FIFA rankings and securing a spot in the top 100 for the first time since 2018.

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey highlighted the positive developments in Indian football, emphasizing the significant growth and fan participation witnessed in recent months. The inclusion of India’s men’s and women’s teams in the Asian Games, scheduled from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, will further boost the sport’s reputation in the country.

The Indian men’s team, led by head coach Igor Stimac, is expected to display a strong performance, considering their recent successes and the presence of experienced players like Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and Sandesh Jhingan. The Asian Games football competition allows up to three over-aged players, and Chhetri is set to be part of the team along with other senior players.