Kalyan Chubey confirms he is talks with Govt of India to give spacial permission for PIOs,OCis to play for India, talk force made to identify Top division and upcoming pios
Yeah this AIFF actually makes effort. Under Praful Ji he barely made time and effort. I was skeptical about Kalyan due to this political ambitions as well. But so far he has given ample time and seems to really care about making positive changes.
PIO/OCI is needed. Bruh I want to see India play in WC and now with 8.5 spots in Asia the closest we can get is by having these PIO/OCI eligible for NT. With Chettri retiring its high time we find quality replacements. Also domestic players will also need to step up for competition, just earning 3-5 crores contracts in ISL will not take you far.
Even if they set up a quota type rule,where 5 to 6 foreign born players are selected in squad it will be a game changer.No need for an entire imported team,like ISL there can be four players in a team,will definitely make a huge difference.In a time when goalkeepers are playing like a midfielder and things are changing all over,India too needs much needed shift to compete and put itself in a world stage.Indian origin players too will have a motivation as they wont be selected for European national side.Indian players here too will have to play their top game as they have to compete against superior foreign born talent for a place in National side.
FIFA WC qualifiers is the best chance,because other far superior teams compared to India are doing so and are being successful.Best example for Mens team is Morocco this World Cup.Inclusion of Indian born players will put us very close to WC as a stop gap arrangement,even if it is so—there will be atleast some progress.
All India Football Federation President, Mr Kalyan Chaubey, on Monday, August 14, 2023, constituted a Task Force for a feasibility study and evaluation of the footballers, who come under the status of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
The Task Force will also evaluate the players playing at a higher level and the status of youth players. The Task Force will submit its report by January 31, 2024.
The Task Force, Mr Chaubey announced, will be chaired by Mr Samir Thapar, the President of the Punjab Football Association, and a veteran sports administrator. The AIFF President will name the other members of the Task Force after consultations with the chairman and the Executive Committee.
Making the announcement, Mr Chaubey said, "The Task Force’s primary objective will be to collect data on footballers who are either Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) or Persons of Indian Origin (PIO). It is a matter of great pride for us that many such footballers are playing in different countries with distinction and have made a name for themselves in the tough world of professional football."
Asked whether the data could be used to approach some of these footballers to play for the Indian National Teams at different levels, Mr Chaubey said, “We are aware that as per the existing law of the land, OCIs and PIOs are not allowed to represent India in international sporting events unless they adopt Indian citizenship.
“However, if we want to open up a dialogue and look into various ways of allowing such players to represent the Indian Football Teams, then we need concrete and comprehensive data to back up our arguments, which is why we have constituted this Task Force,” said Mr Chaubey.
“We will first form a comprehensive database on the OCI and PIO footballers around the world, and then look for the best possible ways to use such players to take Indian football forward,” added the AIFF President.
They have received positive feedback from govt so are proceeding with gathering data. But it's too early to talk about what will happen and how long it'll take
PIO/OCI is needed. Bruh I want to see India play in WC and now with 8.5 spots in Asia the closest we can get is by having these PIO/OCI eligible for NT. With Chettri retiring its high time we find quality replacements. Also domestic players will also need to step up for competition, just earning 3-5 crores contracts in ISL will not take you far.
Initially I was completely against on allowing PIO/OCI card holders to represent Indian NT. But 8+ slots in World Cup is something overwhelming and Indian NT playing in FIFA World Cup is ultimate dream for me.
Without PIO/OCI players, with current pace, it would take atleast take 20-25 years to reach top 10 for us in Asia.
But I don't think Indian government will allow dual citizenship and without citizenship, FIFA/AFC will not allow players to represent India in official events.
To start, maybe below things should be implemented. 1) ISL & I league clubs should be allowed to sign 2-3 PIO/OCI players without losing foreign player quota 2) Government should exempt 1 year rule (Indian stay) for top football players to acquire Indian citizenship 3) AIFF/FIFA/AFC should allow foreign based Indian players without Indian passport to represent Indian youth teams (U-16 till U-21) 4) By birth, child should be granted Indian citizenship if baby's father (foreign player/staff) is stayed in India for more than 1 1/2 years and represented any of the professional Indian club. In long term, it will be useful for Indian sports. 5) Interested Foreign players should be granted Indian citizenship if he stayed in India for more than 2 years, and married an Indian or if player is related to Indian heritage.
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All India Football Federation President, Mr Kalyan Chaubey, on Monday, August 14, 2023, constituted a Task Force for a feasibility study and evaluation of the footballers, who come under the status of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
The Task Force will also evaluate the players playing at a higher level and the status of youth players. The Task Force will submit its report by January 31, 2024.
The Task Force, Mr Chaubey announced, will be chaired by Mr Samir Thapar, the President of the Punjab Football Association, and a veteran sports administrator. The AIFF President will name the other members of the Task Force after consultations with the chairman and the Executive Committee.
Making the announcement, Mr Chaubey said, "The Task Force’s primary objective will be to collect data on footballers who are either Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) or Persons of Indian Origin (PIO). It is a matter of great pride for us that many such footballers are playing in different countries with distinction and have made a name for themselves in the tough world of professional football."
Asked whether the data could be used to approach some of these footballers to play for the Indian National Teams at different levels, Mr Chaubey said, “We are aware that as per the existing law of the land, OCIs and PIOs are not allowed to represent India in international sporting events unless they adopt Indian citizenship.
“However, if we want to open up a dialogue and look into various ways of allowing such players to represent the Indian Football Teams, then we need concrete and comprehensive data to back up our arguments, which is why we have constituted this Task Force,” said Mr Chaubey.
“We will first form a comprehensive database on the OCI and PIO footballers around the world, and then look for the best possible ways to use such players to take Indian football forward,” added the AIFF President.
They have received positive feedback from govt so are proceeding with gathering data. But it's too early to talk about what will happen and how long it'll take
Without PIO/OCI players, with current pace, it would take atleast take 20-25 years to reach top 10 for us in Asia.
But I don't think Indian government will allow dual citizenship and without citizenship, FIFA/AFC will not allow players to represent India in official events.
To start, maybe below things should be implemented.
1) ISL & I league clubs should be allowed to sign 2-3 PIO/OCI players without losing foreign player quota
2) Government should exempt 1 year rule (Indian stay) for top football players to acquire Indian citizenship
3) AIFF/FIFA/AFC should allow foreign based Indian players without Indian passport to represent Indian youth teams (U-16 till U-21)
4) By birth, child should be granted Indian citizenship if baby's father (foreign player/staff) is stayed in India for more than 1 1/2 years and represented any of the professional Indian club. In long term, it will be useful for Indian sports.
5) Interested Foreign players should be granted Indian citizenship if he stayed in India for more than 2 years, and married an Indian or if player is related to Indian heritage.