@atuljg ; OCI or PIO are all Foreign citizens. Indian constitution do not allow dual citizenship. OCI or PIO is still not Indian citizen, so they cannot represent India in Sports nor they are eligible for any Government orPolitical post. Those players can give away their Foreign Citizenship and become Indian Citizen like Arata Izumi.
@munna219777 Btw there is no PIO, just one OCI card, Indian government recently merged OCI and PIO. Besides they said they would enjoy a lot of benefits but did not list down any. I hope one of them might or could or that I am dream is that they can represent India.
@Pondicherry Erstwhile PIO and now OCI card holders are all Foreign citizens with connection to India like they were Indian citizens in the past or India origin. As they are not Indian citizen, they cannot represent India in Sports. Only benefit is that PIO card holders earlier used to get 15 years India visa but now as they will also be considered equal to OCI, they will have lifelong India visa. Infact most of the Indians abroad are already eligible for OCI card so this upgrade of PIO card to OCI card is hardly any news. Just Indian media is trying to promote it as if something great has been achieved. Look at Arata Izumi, he gave away his Japan passport to become Indian citizen and represent India. If any player cannot give his foreign passport and willing to become India citizen, then I guess we dont need him either. Learn from Arata!!!! This link will explain the difference.
@munna219777 I agree with you but lets just wait for the new news, if at all there is going to be any, of the additional benefits. I am just day dreaming the rules might just become flexible. Yes, regardless...OCI or PIO, they both are foreign citizens and yes they cannot represent India.
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Erstwhile PIO and now OCI card holders are all Foreign citizens with connection to India like they were Indian citizens in the past or India origin. As they are not Indian citizen, they cannot represent India in Sports. Only benefit is that PIO card holders earlier used to get 15 years India visa but now as they will also be considered equal to OCI, they will have lifelong India visa. Infact most of the Indians abroad are already eligible for OCI card so this upgrade of PIO card to OCI card is hardly any news. Just Indian media is trying to promote it as if something great has been achieved. Look at Arata Izumi, he gave away his Japan passport to become Indian citizen and represent India. If any player cannot give his foreign passport and willing to become India citizen, then I guess we dont need him either. Learn from Arata!!!!
This link will explain the difference.
http://www.immihelp.com/nri/pio-vs-oci.html
Obvio we are not at the level at saff we are better but we fail to show it