Kolkata : India, it’s Sports Ministry is planning to rethink rules for allowing Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) in Sports where they’re lagging behind, like, Football and Tennis.
Lack of growth and deterioration in these global sports for a major country like India over the years have led to criticisms for current ban on OCI to represent India.
It is to be noted that, in 2008, an order from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) directed all National Sports Federations (NSFs) to permit only sportspersons with a valid Indian passport to represent India in international events.
Due to this, for instance, Izumi Arata, an Indian-Japanese who had been playing club football in India since 2006, could represent the national football team only after taking Indian citizenship in 2013.
In the past, Indian-origin athletes such as tennis player Prakash Amritraj (nationality United States), Shikha Uberoi (USA), Sunitha Rao (USA), squash player Karm Kumar (UK) and swimmer Ankur Poseria (USA) represented India as OCI card holders before the policy change kicked in.
In tennis, Prakash Amritraj — son of the legendary Vijay Amritraj — was one of several prominent US passport-holders affected by the ban on OCI card-holders. He had represented India in 10 Davis Cup ties between 2003 and 2008, before the restrictions came into force and barred players like him from continuing.
This regulation was later challenged by UK-based OCI card holding squash player Karm Kumar, but the Delhi high court upheld the rule in 2010.
However, as per reports, Indian government, Sports Ministry, are considering reversing this policy to allow OCI or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders to represent India in international competitions.
OCI implementation is need of hour. For example, Indonesia (ranked 123rd) are in the 3rd round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the surge in their performance attributed to a number of players who were born in Netherlands, and were roped in. In April 2024, Indonesia were ranked 134 and below India.18 of the 23-player Philippines squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup were born in the USA. Since 2023, players born in Finland, Scotland, Argentina, Spain and Brazil have represented Malaysia’s men’s national team. Bangladesh too bought in Hamza Choudhary. Meanwhile, Indian Football is lagging behind, with quality being degraded and ranked lowered over few years.
That explains why calls to use OCI and PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) players in the national team has got louder over the years with former national coaches Stephen Constantine and Igor Stimac urging the government to have a rethink.
In 2023, AIFF said it had set up a task force to do a feasibility study on PIOs. The conclusion of that is still unknown.
In Tennis too, India have lacked depth for a long time. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has done little to groom talent. Their recent performances especially that of Paris Olympics 2024 displayed unreal downfall. This is why need for allowing OCI is important, for surge in performances of the Sports like Football, Tennis, where India are underperforming.
“Yes, the govt is considering allowing the OCI/PIO card holders to play for India. The idea has been deliberated upon. There are certain sports where India isn’t a force to reckon with. The govt wants to strengthen such disciplines to boost the country’s sporting ecosystem. There is no harm in reconsidering the policy decision made in 2008,” a ministry source said.
A sports ministry official said on Thursday there was no harm in relooking at the 2008 policy that allowed only Indian citizens to represent the country.
“If allowing OCI participation boosts the national team especially in disciplines like football, tennis, or any other discipline, then why not? It can be only for sports where Indians are not doing well,” said the official requesting anonymity given the sensitive nature of the issue.
The discussion is, however, at a very early stage and would involve thorough “exchange of ideas” between the stakeholders.
“There is no harm in reconsidering because we would like the best of our talent to be able to represent us. But again, it’s a very long road,” a source said.
