Igor Stimac requests PM Modi to intervene after Indian football team fails to get green signal for Asian Games

The Indian football team is expected to miss the Sports Ministry's criteria to be included in the contingent that will represent the country at the 2022 Asian Games in Huangzhou, China. The ministry had said earlier that when it came to team events, only sides ranking in the top eight of the continental rankings of their respective sports will be allowed to travel for the Asiad. India are only ranked 18th in Asia and with the Games starting in late September, it is impossible for them to jump into the top eight.

Originally scheduled to be held Septmber 10 to 25 last year, the Huangzhou Asian Games will take place from September 23 to October 8 this year after it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All India Football Federation (AIFF) Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran had told PTI that an appeal that would be made towards the government bodies, to allow the football teams to participate in China in September. “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.

Following this, even coach Stimac has made a plea for an exception to be made for the football teams to participate in the tournament. “A humble appeal and sincere request to Honourable Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi ji and Hon. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, to kindly allow our football team to participate in the Asian games. We will fight for our nation’s pride and the flag! Jai Hind!” said Stimac in a tweet in which he attached screenshots of his statements as well.

“India hosted the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 and invested heavily in building a very fine new generation of players,” wrote the Croatian in a message directed towards the Prime Minister. “You have always supported India's dream of playing in FIFA World Cup one day and I am certain that if we have your continuous support in the manner we have received till date, the day is not far when we will be at the global stage participating in the most prestigious tournaments.”

Stimac also touched on Modi’s speech in Paris this week, in which the Prime Minister spoke about the popularity of French star Kylian Mbappe in India. “Your speech about football and Mbappe in your recent visit to France also touched all Indians dreaming and rooting for Indian football,” wrote the Indian coach.

Stimac also wrote about the importance of providing this stage to the youth team which has worked hard in recent months, who are being denied due to the ranking of the senior team. Stimac was passionate in his appeal, writing “I wanted to bring to your immediate attention that our U-17 team from 2017, which also gave a great performance at the U-23 World Cup qualifiers and is one very talented team, is now being deprived from participating in the Asian Games. This team really needs and deserves the participation.”

“The reasons given are unjust and as India's national team coach, I felt it's important to immediately bring this matter to your and the Hon'ble Sports Minister Anurag Thakur's knowledge,” continued Stimac, who has led India to within FIFA’s top 100 in the rankings following the trophy in the SAFF Championships.

“So that you could intervene and help the team participate in the Asian Games. There are hopes and prayers of 1 billion Indians for the beautiful game and we need such participation,” concluded Stimac in his plea to Modi and Thakur.

Stimac has been a passionate and fierce leader for the Blue Tigers in his stint as head coach, always ready to fight for his players. and considers the country to be his second home. The Croatian, who won a bronze medal at the 1998 World Cup with his national team, has also taken control of the nation’s youth teams, and clearly sees these developmental tournaments and opportunities as greatly significant towards developing the national team.

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