As the team's participation in the Asian games is uncertain, fans are targetting PT Usha for not relaxing participation criteria.
PT Usha. (Twitter)
Indian Olympics Association (IOA) President PT Usha is the target of the wrath of football fans around the country for her opposition to the Indian national football team representing the country in the upcoming Asian Games.
Several netizens and football enthusiasts have come forward with severe criticism against the government of India for not allowing the Indian team to play in the upcoming Asian games that are scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China in September 2023.
Although the fans were expecting a relaxation in terms of criteria for Indian football for the participation of the team in the Asian games, the latest order from IOA President has shattered their hopes.
As the final word arrived from renowned athlete Usha, the football fans targeted one of India’s pioneer athletes for her decision. The outrage has put “PT Usha” trending on Twitter on Friday, 21 July.
On 17 July, Indian national football team coach Igor Stimac appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to let the national team play the Asian games.
“Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I am not sure if someone would have briefed you or updated you about the Indian teams participating in the upcoming Asian Games, where the most important and key global sport “football” team has been deprived of participating and representing the Indian flag,” said Stimac in his note addressed to the Prime Minister.
He recalled the Indian government’s investments to host the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in India which brought a new generation of talented players and the prime minister’s vision of India playing in the FIFA World Cup.
“I wanted to bring to your immediate attention that our U-17 team from 2017, which also gave a great performance at the U-23 World Cup qualifiers and is one very talented team, is now being deprived of participating in the Asian games. This team really needs and deserves the participation,” he said.
According to Stimac, the reasons given for the team not participating in the event were unjust and as a national team coach, he felt the need to bring the issue to the notice of the government.
“As our own ministry is denying the participation in the context of ranking. Whereas, the fact is that our football team is better ranked than some of the other sports teams which have been allowed participation in the Asian games. Also, history and statistics are testimony to the fact that football is one sport where a lower-ranked team has a chance to beat the top-ranked teams,” said Stimac while concluding the letter.
A humble appeal and sincere request to Honourable Prime Minister Sri @narendramodi ji and Hon. Sports Minister @ianuragthakur, to kindly allow our football team to participate in the Asian games 🙏🏽
We will fight for our nation’s pride and the flag! 🇮🇳
Jai Hind!#IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/wxGMY4o5TN— Igor Štimac (@stimac_igor) July 17, 2023
The gaffer’s appeal soon was taken by football fans and well-wishers across the nation.
“We stand firmly behind you in supporting the Indian national football team’s participation in the Asian Games. Fingers crossed for positive and necessary steps being taken,” wrote Manjappada, the fans wing of Kochi-based football club Kerala Blasters.
However, the IOA in a statement issued on 19 July, asserted that it would strictly adhere to the selection criteria formulated by the government of India.
“As we gear up for the highly anticipated event scheduled to take place in Hangzhou in China, the IOA reaffirms its commitment to promoting excellence in sports by strictly adhering to the selection criteria formulated by the Government of India vide their letter dated 10 July, 2023,” the IOA said in a statement.
“The adherence to these norms aims to foster a culture of transparency, meritocracy and excellence in the Indian sports ecosystem,” it added.
“It will further ensure that the selected contingent represents India with pride and performs to the best of their abilities at the Asian Games,” said the association.
It further said that in team events the selection would only be there for the teams that had achieved under 8th rank in Asia.
The IOA statement created an outrage directly targeted at its President PT Usha.
“Indian football is bigger than everyone. With all due respect to honourable PT Usha should not stop the winning spirit of team India. However this time fans won’t stop until it’s done,” wrote Divyansh, a football fan on Twitter.
Some of the fans even stated that if such rules were in place in the 1980s PT Usha wouldn’t be able to compete in major events.
“If this was the situation back in the day, PT Usha would have been prevented from participating in the Asian Games and she would not have been PT Usha,” wrote a Twitter user.
Some fans even recalled the IOA President’s position in the Wresteler’s issue and called her ineligible to continue at the job.
“How is anyone supposed to have a shred of respect for PT Usha anymore? Given what she has done or been a part of in the last 6-9 months. From wrestler protests to Indian football.” Wrote a Twitter user by the name of Parijat.
How is anyone supposed to have a shred of respect for PT Usha anymore?
Given what she has done or been a part of in the last 6-9 months. From wrestler protests to Indian football.
— Sanskaari Paapi (@proirritater) July 21, 2023
“PT Usha Is acting against National Interest. It doesn’t matter if You Have Issues with the AIFF President. But Mam Dnt make it an Ego Issue. Football is more imp than Your infighting. Dnt let the Sport Suffer,” wrote a user named Baba Rancho RK.
PT Usha Is acting against National Interest. It doesn't matter if You Have Issues with the AIFF President.
But Mam Dnt make it an Ego Issue.
Football is more imp than Your infighting.
Dnt let the Sport Suffer. https://t.co/dPBZhDdpB1— Baba Rancho RK (@GhostedGuy69) July 20, 2023
Television presenter and football commentator Joe Morrison too took the issue to Twitter to take a dig at the veteran athlete. Morrisson shared Usha’s image with a caption that read “And the ‘It’s all about ME award’ for July goes to.”
And the ‘It’s all about ME award’ for July goes to: pic.twitter.com/5U4on18Fl0
— Joe Morrison (@joefooty) July 20, 2023
Meanwhile, it is rumoured that the current situation was a result of a conflict of opinions between IOA president PT Usha and joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey.
Former Indian international Kalyan Chaubey also holds the post of President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Soon after the IOA statement, Chaubey met Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday and informed him about the meeting on Twitter.
“Had the opportunity to meet Sh. @ianuragthakur ji Hon Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, today evening to apprise him on #IndianFootball & discuss the scope,” Chaubey wrote on Twitter.
Had the opportunity to meet Sh @ianuragthakur ji Hon Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, today evening to apprise him on #IndianFootball & discuss the scope.@indianfootball pic.twitter.com/NenaWXMLKQ
— Kalyan Chaubey (@kalyanchaubey) July 20, 2023
Both Usha and Chaubey were hand-picked by the BJP to be inducted into the government bodies.
The Asian Games football draw is scheduled for 27 July and the last date to withdraw from application is 26 July.
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