Igor Stimac appeals to PM Narendra Modi after Indian football team was denied entry into Asian Games
Head coach of the Indian men’s football team, Igor Stimac has requested the intervention of prime minister Narendra Modi and sports minister Anurag Thakur to allow the Under-23 side to take part in the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The Indian team is expected to miss out on the Asian Games as it does not meet the Sports Ministry’s criteria of being ranked among the top-8 sides in the continent.
Furthermore, India is currently in the 18th spot among countries under the Asian Football Confederation. Moreover, India missed out on the 2018 Asian Games due to the same reason.
The national team recently won the SAFF Championship, under the captaincy of Sunil Chhetri that was held in Bengaluru. The Blue Tigers beat Kuwait 5-4 on penalties.
Igor Stimac’s statements on Twitter
“Honourable Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi ji, I am not sure if someone would have briefed you or updated you about the Indian teams participating in the upcoming Asian Games, where the most important and the key global sport “football” team has been deprived from participating and representing the Indian flag,” Stimac wrote on Twitter.
“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. So that you could intervene and help the team participate in the Asian Games,” Stimac added.
Stimac’s passion for the Indian football team
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. He considers India as 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.
He sees these developmental tournaments and opportunities as greatly significant towards developing the national team.
