AIFF Constitutes Task Force for Feasibility Study of Allowing PIO Footballers in National Teams
Key Highlights :
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has taken a major step towards allowing Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) to play in the country’s national teams. On Monday, the AIFF formed a task force to conduct a feasibility study of allowing PIO and OCI footballers to represent the country in international sporting events.
The task force, which will submit its report by January 31 next year, will be chaired by Punjab Football Association president Samir Thapar. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey will name the other members of the task force after consultations with the chairman and the Executive Committee of the AIFF.
The primary objective of the task force is to collect data on footballers who are either Overseas Citizens of India or Persons of Indian Origin. The task force will evaluate the PIO and OCI footballers playing at a higher level and the status of youth players.
Chaubey said that the AIFF is 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, he stated that the task force will look into various ways of allowing such players to represent the Indian Football Teams.
“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,” said Chaubey.
If the task force is successful in its mission, it could open up a new world of possibilities for Indian football. It could also provide an opportunity to those footballers of Indian origin who have made a name for themselves in the tough world of professional football.
The task force’s report will be keenly awaited by the football fraternity as it could pave the way for PIO and OCI footballers to represent the country in international tournaments. It could also help the AIFF in its mission to develop the sport in the country.
