Football and tennis in focus as the Sports Ministry considers lifting the ban on OCI athletes
The Indian Sports Ministry is considering a potential revocation of the long-standing ban on Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders representing the country in international sports. Introduced in 2008, the current regulation allows only Indian passport-holders to officially play for the nation. This possible policy shift comes amid concerns over India’s lack of progress in sports like football and tennis, where overseas-based athletes of Indian origin have often been unable to contribute due to passport restrictions, as per PTI. The idea behind reconsidering the ban is to strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem by opening the doors for more global talent with Indian roots. The proposal is still in its early stages. According to a ministry official, any change would require extensive discussions between all involved stakeholders and is likely to be a gradual process. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has shown particular interest in the move, even though there are currently no high-profile OCI players ready to be drafted into the national team. The aim is more long-term — to ensure that promising footballers of Indian descent growing up abroad don’t automatically miss out on representing India due to passport issues. In tennis, this restriction has already impacted notable names. While nothing is confirmed yet, the ministry’s openness to reviewing the regulation suggests a shift towards a more inclusive sporting framework that values talent, regardless of geographical background.
Rainbow to follow the DHFC model to achieve success
In a bid to earn success in the forthcoming CFL Premier Division, Rainbow AC has engaged the state’s former minister of forest affairs, Rajib Banerjee, in the club administration. Banerjee revealed at a club’s function on Thursday that he would be active and contribute to the development of the club’s football affairs in the coming days. He specifically pointed out that Rainbow AC will also try to follow the Diamond Harbor FC model to achieve success in the CFL Premier Division. Citing the example of DHFC and its president Abhishek Bandopadhyay, Banerjee divulged that Rainbow AC will also try to follow the way DHFC has been setting and gaining success. Significantly, DHFC, starting their journey from the CFL First Division, has earned qualification for the elite I-League for the next season within only three years. Under the guidance of team’s Technical Director (TD) Debjit Ghosh Rainbow AC will conduct a two-week residential preparatory camp before the CFL Premier Division kicks off. Apart, the team has also been made of youth and experience as a few experienced footballers have been roped in this season.
Aiming for the 2036 Olympics Mizoram government set to introduce a revolutionary program, ‘Empowering Mizoram’!
Sudeep Pakrashi: The Union Sports Ministry has not yet sanctioned any financial grant for them. Still Mizoram government does not sit idle. In a bid to gift athletes of international quality to the country from their state for the 2036 Olympics, which the country is aiming to bid for hosting, Mizoram’s sports ministry has already built up a vision and is all set to introduce a deep-rooted development program named ‘Empowering Mizoram’. The state government has already sanctioned Rs 2.5 crore for the development program. State sports minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, when asked about plans revealed, “Firstly, talent scout programs across the state, in all the villages, will be conducted and potential players of respective disciplines will be categorized according to their talent. We have planned to choose such specific disciplines where the athletes have a bright chance of winning medals.” The state government has so far planned to select a few specific disciplines like badminton, boxing, judo, hockey and wrestling. From the talent-scouting programs, the highly-potential athletes from those disciplines will be trained at a place by the top coaches, and a centre of excellence will be constructed by the government for those top-class athletes who have medal-winning prospects in events like the Olympics. The state sports ministry is already in the process of discussing with the country’s top sporting organizations to build up associations with them so that it can hire top coaches. Citing the example of badminton, the sports minister said, “For example, Mizoram Badminton Association has already tied-up with Pullela Gopichand academy four years ago, and in the last four years our young promising boys and girls have been winning medals in the country’s different age-group competitions. Four of our badminton coaches are presently in Hyderabad, undergoing a coaches’ training program there. Similarly, our coaches of other chosen disciplines will also be made experts through training at the country’s top sporting organizations before they start training the potential boys and girls in our Centre of Excellence.” Even, the state sports ministry has plans to look out for the top high-performance centres outside the country and in a bid to materialize their mission the government is likely to appeal to the corporate houses, the PSUs and obviously the Union Sports ministry for their grant. However, two footballers from the constituency of state sports minister Lalengmawia Ralte and Ayush Dev Chhetri were honored by the state sports minister. Hmar said, “Today, our footballers deserve celebration not just for excelling at club level, but also for earning their place in the India national team. While many footballers rise through elite academies, these two have charted their path from Mizoram. They show others can do the same.” Apuia, who played 27 matches this season for Mohun Bagan and delivered key playoff performances, said, “Whether it’s winning the ISL or representing India, it means a lot to be honoured at home by our Sports Minister.” Reflecting on his journey, he added, “A good academy helps, but discipline and perseverance to push through challenges, even by oneself, is what matters the most.” Ayush Chhetri, who played 26 matches and scored once for FC Goa, earned his first India call-up earlier this year and debuted against the Maldives.
Ashwin backs Bumrah and Jadeja for India’s Test captaincy role
Shubman Gill might be the frontrunner to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s next Test captain. However, R. Ashwin feels that other experienced names such as Jasprit Bumrah and Rabindra Jadeja should not be overlooked for the role. The India squad for their five-Test series against England, which begins on 20th June, could be picked at the end of this month, and the run-up to the selection process is dominated by the talks around the possible new captain. “First of all, everyone is saying that Gill is the captain. Everyone is going in that direction. But there is a loud option in Jasprit Bumrah, and why do we forget about Ravindra Jadeja,” Ashwin said during a chat with former Tamil Nadu opener Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan on his YouTube channel. “If you are willing to go for a new person as captain, I would say why not make him [Gill] an understudy of an experienced guy for two years before handing him the job on a full-time basis.” After Rohit and Virat Kohli retired from Tests, Jadeja is the most experienced player in the Indian side with 3370 runs and 323 wickets from 80 Tests. He, however, does not have any captaincy experience in Test cricket, while Bumrah has also led India in only three Tests, most recently in the first and last Tests of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. “I would say, why not get all three to four candidates and make them do a presentation and ask them each to detail the vision for the team,” Ashwin said. “It happens in countries like Australia. Why won’t we go down that road?” Ashwin, who retired from all forms of cricket after the third BGT Test late last year, said Bumrah too should be considered seriously, and his recent back injury should not be a hindrance. “Look at Pat Cummins, he also had a back stress fracture, but he is now captaining Australia in Tests and ODIs,” Ashwin said. “Like that, Bumrah is our national treasure, and he should be in the discussion. “He should be asked, will you be able to play five Tests? Can you be a full-time captain? I know he had a stress fracture, but I am sure he will think about it. I think the hat with his name should be number one in that ring.”
