How Indian Sports Federation Planning to Include Overseas Citizens of India will change future of Sports in the Country?

Team India is struggling big time in distinct sports including the likes of- Football, Tennis and Swimming where the country is struggling big time in producing medals or trophies big time on consistent basis.

Talking about latest development, Indian Sports Ministry is keenly looking to allow OCI(Overseas Citizens of India) is allowed to represent nation in these distinct sports disciplines.

In 2008, an order came from Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports(MYAS) have directed all National Sports Federation to permit all sportspersons with a valid Indian passport to represent our country in International events.

This regulation was later challenged by UK-based OCI, card holding squash player Karm Kumar, but Delhi high Court upheld this decision in 2010.

Based on reports shared in distinct media outlets, Government is keenly looking to reverse this policies where they would be allowing OCI or Person of Indian Origin(PIO) card holders will be available to represent India in distinct International Competitions.

“Yes the Government is considering allowing the OCI/PIO  card holders to play for India. The idea has been deliberated upon. There are certain force to be reckon with and government is keenly looking to strengthen those disciplines in order to boost country sports ecosystem. There is no harm in reconsidering this decision made in 2008” a ministry source said.

More Details about Indian Origin players representing Country in the Past: 

In the past we have seen players like Prakash Amritraj (nationality, United States), Shikha Oberoi(USA) , Sunitha Rao(USA) , Squash Player Karm Kumar(UK) and Swimmer Ankur Poseria(USA) represented India as OCI card holders brought laurels to the country before the policy kicked in.

There is also strong report, BCCI(The Board of Control for Cricket in India) has also agreed to adopt two or three Olympic Disciplines where they are looking to develop Individual Centre of Excellence in 2-3 sports.

This adoption will be based on Public- Private Patnership often regarded as (PPP) basis.

Recently Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a meeting in Delhi where the discussion were centered around having every sport being backed by Private Corporates.

“Rajeev Shukla current Vice President, BCCI was part of meeting. He said that Board is willing to adopt two or three Olympic Disciplines. BCCI is ready to entirely fund and develop these disciplines”.

The Ministry is keenly looking to develop Olympic centers dedicated to each sport, where they would be training the best 100 to 200 athletes in distinct sporting domain complemented by TOPS(Target Olympics Podium Scheme) supporting the best lot out of them so that they can develop players in such a way so that they can churn out those medals in future.

The Ministry have also ordered some of the National Sports Federation to resolve their internal disputes that they can allow merit to prevail in these ecosystem.

The Ministry is keenly looking to allow right set of people to lead their offices excluding all former players and practitioners so that decision could be taken for the benefit of players.

More Details about Ministry of Sports about Benefit of Indian Players: 

1. Ministry approach is brilliant, as India is struggling some of the sports including the likes of- Football, Tennis and Swimming to do wonders in these sports. 
2. When you have an athletes pertaining to all these sports, it will simply provide pathway for bringing more talent in the ecosystem based on that we have more players availability and they can simply go on to represent India. 
3. Indian football is struggling big time to find replacement for Sunil Chhetri who is still donning Blue Jerseys at the age of 40 years old that speaks a volume about sad state affair in Indian football so bringing OCI and PIO will boost talent in those ways. 
4. The latest example how PIO and OCI can boost any country chances could be understood by the example, Hamza Choudhary who plays for European club represented Bangladesh against India in recent encounter which speaks a volume about how dual nationality can benefit any team or players. 
5. India badly needs PIO and OCI as we are a population of more than 1.5 Billion People but failing to win maximum medals despite huge population is huge setback for us. 
6. Government is trying hard to make conscious decision to make sure, schemes like TOPS and Khelo India Youth Games is brought in place, so that maximum athletes can expedite their journey and accelerate at the highest level. 
7. The government with schemes like TOPS have kept players like- Neeraj Chopra, Sakshi Malik, Vineesh Phogat and PV Sindhu where we have seen most athletes are churning medals from the lot. 
8. In Target Olympics Podium Scheme, all those bright athletes who have potentials who can churn out medals can go one to win medals for the country. 
9. Adding PIO and OCI schemes will benefit and boost the confidence of players residing outside India who can represent Country at the biggest of these stages and do wonders for the country. 

Overall, Ministry of Government is Keenly looking to organize tournament on consistent basis, in the form of Khelo India Youth Games with the latest edition being held in Bihar where multiple sports will be played and the best of the athletes wil compete against each other for the prestigious medal.

The Ministry of Sports, have been keenly investing sports development and based on reports shared in distinct media outlets, Ministry of Sports is Planning to build a whole sports ecosystem in Sardar Vallabhai Complex in Ahmedabad where one such ground is Cricket one kept on the name of our Honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi Ji.

Also Indian Officials are keenly lookin to host 2036 Olympics in Ahmedabad for which they have already placed bid if India gets that opportunity it will be one of its kind will put India on Global Pedestal.

Indian Government along with Sports Authority of India should be credited brilliantly for bringing these transformations in sporting infrastructure in the country where athletes could come in huge numbers and represent India across multiple sporting domain.

Frequently Asked Question: 

Q-1 : In how many Olympic Sports BCCI is planning to adopt? 

Answer: 2-3

Q-2: What is OCI? 

Answer: Overseas Citizenship in India? 

Q-3: India will benefitted in which Sports once OCI comes in Place? 

Answer: Football, Swimming and Tennis 

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