PM Modi expresses happiness over Indian men's & women's football teams' participation in Asian Games

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his happiness over Indian men's and women's football teams' participation in the upcoming Asian Games 2023.

The Sports Ministry has given relaxation for Indian football teams to participate in the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China, the official sources said.

Responding to the tweet by the President of All India Football Federation Kalyan Chaubey, the Prime Minister said, “Great news for football fans across India! It will also encourage upcoming talent in this sport.”

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said, "Good news for Indian football lovers! Our national football teams, both Men’s and Women’s, are set to participate in the upcoming Asian Games."

"The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, has decided to relax the rules to facilitate participation of both the teams, which were not qualifying as per the existing criterion," he said.

"Keeping in mind their latest performances in the recent times, the Ministry decided to grant the relaxation," Thakur said.

"I am sure they will put their best foot forward in the Asian Games and make our country proud," the sports minister added.

Earlier, All India Football Federation (AIFF) in a tweet said, "Happy to inform that Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs,& IOA have confirmed @indianfootball’s participation at #AsianGames I thank Sh @narendramodi sir Sh @ianuragthakur ji & GoI for their support Equally important to our fans for your resolute for #IndianFootball."

The India Men’s team are placed alongside hosts China PR, Bangladesh, Myanmar in Group A for the 19th Asian Games which will be held in China from September 18- October 7.

The draw for the India Men’s and Women’s team for the 19th Asian Games were conducted here in China on Thursday.

There are 23 teams have been divided into six groups, where Group A, B, C, E and F has four teams each while Group D has three teams, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) sources said.

The competition shall consist of two stages as Group Stage and Knockout Stage. Group Stage will be played in a single round robin league system, whereas Knock-out Stage will consist of the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Bronze medal match and Gold medal match in which all in single round knockout system. Top two teams of each group and four best third placing teams among all groups in the Group Stage, with a total of 16 teams will advance to the Knock-Out Stage.

India had won the Asian Games Gold medal twice in 1951 and 1962. They won the Bronze medal in 1970. The last time India played in the Asian Games was in 2014.

After the draw results, Head coach Igor Stimac said, “It was a very busy, great and exciting day of football for us in India. Now that we know all the opponents in the 19th edition of the Asian Games and the World Cup Qualifiers Group A, we can say clearly that we were successful against all these teams in the recent past. So let’s start planning cautiously. Let’s do everything for our National Team to do well."

"We will face China, the host nation in the Asian Games and we have great youngsters who will do everything possible to go through this group with great success,” he said.

In the India Women’s Team, the Blue Tigresses are drawn with Chinese Taipei and Thailand in Group B.

Seventeen teams have been divided into five groups where Group A, B and C has three teams each while Group D and E has four teams each.

The Women’s competition shall also consist of two stages; Group Stage in a single round robin league system and Knock-out Stage will consist of the Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Bronze medal match and Gold medal match, all in single round knockout system. The top team from each group and three best second placed teams among all the groups, with a total of eight teams will advance to the knock-out stage.

Head coach Thomas Dennerby said after the draw results, “It’s a very interesting draw. We definitely have a good chance against both the teams. But our preparation time is the key. We need to work very hard for the next eight weeks.”

The India Women’s team placed 60 in the latest FIFA Ranking will take part in the Asian Games for the first time after 2014. (UNI)