The Indian Olympic Association has decided to not send the men’s and women’s football teams for the Asian Games, Indian Express reported.
According to the report, the decision was made as officials believe that the teams “did not stand a chance to compete for medals”.
The All India Football Federation was planning to use the tournament as part of the preparation for the men’s national team’s Asian Cup campaign to be held early next year.
A miffed AIFF, though, is planning to take the matter up with sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the report added.
The contention is that football has been classified as a priority sport by the sports ministry, but IOA officials insist that the team cannot be sent if they have no medal prospects.
According to ministry guidelines, only teams who are ranked among the top-eight nations competing at the Asian Games will be considered for participation. However, India’s men’s team is 14th in Asia, while the women’s team is in 13th place.