The renowned senior players of the Indian national football team are likely to miss the Asian Games being held in China.
Senior Players To Miss Asian Games
The Indian veteran trio, including Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, were initially part of the squad scheduled to travel to China. However, it is unlikely that the senior players will be prominently featured in action at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. This essentially comes as a result of Indian Super League (ISL) clubs declining to release these players for their international commitments.
ISL Clubs Reluctant to Send Players
The football competition during the Asian Games primarily involves players under the age of 23.
The team essentially includes three older players, thanks to a provision allowing their inclusion. The AIFF convened a meeting with ISL clubs on Monday to address the issue. This discussion came about due to reluctance. Several ISL clubs have released their senior players for general national team duties with the Blue Tigers.
Clash In Schedules
There is basically a scheduling conflict with the impending ISL season, which is set to kick off on September 21st. The start of the football event at the Asian Games was on September 19th. AIFF plans to conduct a meeting with ISL clubs. To request the release of two players from each team in a particularly major way. Nevertheless, this basically proposed proposal may present its own difficulties. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) would basically need to submit a fresh application to the Olympic Council of Asia. To gain approval for the revised squad, which is quite significant.
