Indian athletes can no longer participate in the Asian Games merely for the sake of a recreational trip. The Centre will only grant clearance to travel to Nagoya, Japan, to those with the potential to bring home a medal, for next year's Asiad. Previously, many federations would send athletes and some officials at their own expense.
The five-page directive issued by the Union Sports Ministry on Wednesday clearly states that neither athletes nor officials can be sent to the Games at their own expense.
Eligibility criteria for participation in the Games have been established: Individuals must rank within the top six in Asia, while teams must be in the top eight. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has already begun preparing the Indian football team specifically for the Asian Games.
Year-round training arrangements for the under-23 team have been made under Nousad Moosa. However, under these new rules, the football team's participation in the Asiad remains uncertain. This is because India currently ranks 24th in the AFC list. India will not even have the opportunity to improve its position, as the Asian Cup is not scheduled until 2027.
Many of the country's top athletes often demand to bring personal coaches or physiotherapists before departing for tournaments. In many cases, these demands have been met. This time, it has been clearly stated that athletes must compete under the national team's coach and support staff. This is not only applicable to the Asian Games but also to the Commonwealth Games, Para Games, and Youth Games.