AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey.
Photo : PTI
In an important move for Indian football, Kalyan Chaubey, the president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), announced that talks are in progress to allow Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) to play for the Indian national football team. Chaubey shared this information in an interview with The Telegraph on Wednesday. He also mentioned that discussions with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports have been ongoing for more than 18 months.
“We have been having a series of meetings with the sports ministry for the past one and a half years. I am hopeful that we will have OCI players in the national team soon,” Chaubey told The Telegraph during an interview on Wednesday.
It will take some time because the process is lengthy,” Chaubey said.
Players with OCI or PIO cards are currently ineligible to represent India due to a 2008 order from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), which directed all National Sports Federations (NSFs) to allow only sportspersons holding a valid Indian passport to represent the country in international events. But ever since a senior ministry official confirmed that the move is under consideration, it has been instantly celebrated in certain quarters, as many saw a ray of hope in the idea—a quick fix, perhaps even a long-awaited recognition of global talent with desi hearts. Chaubey is also hopeful that sooner or later OCI cardholders will play for the India national team.
If OCI cardholders receive approval, the Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs will check the player's background.
“That takes a minimum of 76 days, and there is no maximum limit. That’s the protocol. But the good news is, the government is keen on allowing people of Indian origin to play for the national team,” Chaubey added.
India has also decided to bid for the 2031 AFC Asian Cup after dropping its bid to host the 2027 edition.
“It was decided a long time back. We were not ready to host the tournament at that point. But now we are there. It has to be a concerted effort from all the stakeholders,” Chaubey concluded.
