Or Railways do? It has been always like this. Players registered with Association will represent that state. Same thing in Domestic tournaments of other sports also like Cricket, Hockey.
Robin Singh has played for West Bengal and I remember Sunil Chhetri representing Delhi in Santosh Trophy once. Traditionally teams withy local players have been dominant in Santosh Trophy. Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Punjab are generally full of local players. West Bengal clubs used to be full of local players, not anymore. Their Santosh Trophy squad also represent that situation.
There is a 'son of the soil' rule I think. The mother FA (origin) has the right to call a player wherever he is playing. Only after they reject/ refuge/ overlook a player, he may be called by the association under he is playing currently. Manveer and Basant Singh did not get call from their mother FAs.
@Deb_Ban I think it is other way around. I remember once Kerala wants I.M.Vijayan to play for Kerala in Santhosh trophy and due to Bengal included him in their squad that didn't happen.
The rule was not there during IMV's time, it's recent. And after that rule came into force, Mizoram's amazing Santosh Trophy run started. Earlier, Mizo players would appear for Bengal, because they mostly used to play in CFL.
As long as they didn't break any rules regarding their squad, West Bengal won fairly technically. Congrats to Goa anyway for making it, some great talent in both squads.
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Robin Singh has played for West Bengal and I remember Sunil Chhetri representing Delhi in Santosh Trophy once.
Traditionally teams withy local players have been dominant in Santosh Trophy. Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Punjab are generally full of local players. West Bengal clubs used to be full of local players, not anymore. Their Santosh Trophy squad also represent that situation.