Credit: twitter
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of India Anurag Thakur has recently revealed that the government of India has allowed Indian Men's and Women's football teams to participate in the upcoming Asian Games 2023. The GOI has "decided to relax the rules" that restricted the Indian teams' participation in the continental showpiece.
Anurag Thakur took to his Twitter handle and wrote, "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 added, "Keeping in mind their latest performances in the recent times, the Ministry decided to grant the relaxation. I am sure they will put their best foot forward in the Asian Games and make our country proud."
Earlier, the Indian government denied the Blue Tigers' participation in the Asian Games 2023, scheduled to take place from September 23 to October 8 after the King's Cup in Thailand, as the Indian football teams did not match the Sports Ministry's requirement of being ranked among the top-8 sides in the continent.
