Only Indian Citizens can represent the country -

[kumble_rocks]

Read this guys - I don't support this decision by this government . It's not as if we are sports super power . Why shouldn't NRI's represent India. They can avail to better training and facilities abroad and use their skills for representing India . It's win win situation for India as far as I can see, but trust this beaureucratic government to see otherwise.Indian Sports Federations and the Indian Olympic Association has always been joke anyways. They hardly provide proper training /facilities , sports nutrition etc. Our government has failed to uplift the standard of sports and we all know the manipulations and corruption in all most all sports within India . The cabal of corrupt despotic politicians and dishonest sports officials have ruined the sports culture . Their are many Western countries which encourage other sports persons from other countries to settle down and bring glory to the nation. Our government has lost the plot here ... http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Only_Indian_citizens_can_represent_country/articleshow/3895557.cms "The Government has decided that, henceforth, players who are Indian citizens only can avail themselves of government assistance to represent the country in the national teams representing the country," a government release said on Friday. The decision leaves the tennis quartet of Prakash Amritraj, Sunitha Rao, Shikha and Neha Uberoi-- all US citizens -- at a crossroad even though Shikha is believed to be ready to surrender her American passport to continue playing for India. Junior squash player Karm Kumar, who holds a British passport, recently challenged the Squash Racket Federation of India's (SRFI) decision to restrict the representation of the country only to Indian citizens in the Delhi High Court. Asked by the High Court to formulate a uniform policy on the vexed issue, the government decided to consult the National Sports Federations and the Indian Olympic Association before deciding to restrict representation of the country only to the Indian citizens. "The majority opinion has emerged in favour of restricting the representation of India in international sports events to players who are citizens of India. Some federations have not offered any comments on the matter and have indicated that they would adhere to the policy laid down by the Government in this regard," the statement read. "...the entire matter has been carefully examined in Government and after taking into account all relevant considerations, including the general and specific rights conferred upon PIOs and OCIs as also other considerations such as the limited availability of resources to invest in building world class athletes and the long term interests of the country to emerge as a front-runner in the field of sports, the Government has taken the decision to provide assistance only to those players who have Indian Citizenship," the statement said. The IOA and all the recognised NSFs have been advised accordingly," it added. Shikha Uberoi Indian Tennis Player Shikha Uberoi at the Practice session at the WTA Open. (TOI Photo) The move already has ruffled some feathers even though the government is not really perturbed. "The entire hue and cry is a storm in a tea cup," a Sports Ministry source said. "The issue is being raised only by four tennis and a junior squash player, who live either in the US or UK and swear allegiance to either American or British flag and not the tri-colour. "The Sports Ministry's duty is to promote Indian talent from the hinterlands who would swear allegiance to the Indian flag," he added. He said the Ministry took the IOA in confidence and feedbacks were sought from all NSFs as well. "We issued two communications on November 4 and then again on December 1 to IOA and all the federations. In the second, we also told them that in case we don't receive any communication from them, it would be presumed that they have no comments to offer. "After obtaining support of the majority of the federations, we took the decision of restricting the representation of the country to the Indian citizens only," he said. On whether IOA supported the move, he said, "IOA didn't send any feedback and as our last communication made it clear, no communication was perceived as they have nothing to offer." The official said PIO (People of Indian Origin) and OIC (Overseas Citizens of India) are economic benefits given by the government of India and PIO does not get any right of dual citizenship. "Even the Indian law or constitution does not provide for. Whenever the benefit of dual citizenship is given by the Government of India, the Ministry would look afresh into the new situation," he added. According to him, players who are either PIO or OIC should prove their mettle by representing the country they are citizens of. "Giving a slot to PIO or OIC player amounts to back door entry in a competition, in which he or she is not otherwise good enough to represent the country of which he or she is a citizen. "The new policy will encourage the available talents within the country to enhance a sense of belonging and patriotism and will encourage many more to improve their performance to get the slot in the future to represent the country," he added.

[Cricketics]

do greencard holders also come in this??

[graphic23]

do greencard holders also come in this??

I think that only those who are born in countries other than India cannot represent India. Anyone else can.

[vadodaravictor]

do greencard holders also come in this??

Indian green card holders are still Indian citizens. As long as one holds Republic of India passport, one should be able to represent India. This totally makes sense. If you want to represent India, get an Indian passport & Indian citizenship. I don't know what Kumble_rocks is crying about.

[zubinpepsi]

this is a good move.. these guys get american passport.. and they realize tht its tough to be a national tennis player in US.... and India doesnt have any good players.. so they think its easier to represent INdia and get more fame and moeny even if u r a mediocre player like sania mirza... smart arsess.. if u want play for india.. ofcourse u need to be indian citizen.. so whats the big fuss... NRIs want the cake and have it too.. a big f off..:finger:

[Brainfade]

Good move, IMO.

[fineleg]

I agree with Kumble Rocks. If the person has a Person of Indian Origin, India should allow them. If it can increase India's chances of winning medals in Olympics etc and the person has Indian origin, then allow them.

[triam]

Isnt dual citizenship a possibility for this?

[fineleg]

Triam, Read this - its an eyewash by Indian Govt.

The official said PIO (People of Indian Origin) and OIC (Overseas Citizens of India) are economic benefits given by the government of India and PIO does not get any right of dual citizenship. .

[vadodaravictor]

I agree with Kumble Rocks. If the person has a Person of Indian Origin' date=' India should allow them. If it can increase India's chances of winning medals in Olympics etc and the person has Indian origin, then allow them.[/quote'] I disagree. We are living in a world where race has nothing to do with country. If you are not an Indian citizen, why the hell do you want to represent India and not your home country ? We are talking about a country representation, not an IPL or mohan bagan club team oh..wait a minute..you just want to play for India because you don't stand a chance in your home country. You just want to play, try to win some medals, make some $$$ and go back. I can bet my paycheck that none of these non Indian citizens will be ready to represent India if they are already representing their home country. Sorry..if you cannot vote ..you cannot represent.:hatsoff:

[graphic23]

I disagree. We are living in a world where race has nothing to do with country. If you are not an Indian citizen, why the hell do you want to represent India and not your home country ? We are talking about a country representation, not an IPL or mohan bagan club team oh..wait a minute..you just want to play for India because you don't stand a chance in your home country. You just want to play, try to win some medals, make some $$$ and go back. I can bet my paycheck that none of these non Indian citizens will be ready to represent India if they are already representing their home country. Sorry..if you cannot vote ..you cannot represent.:hatsoff:

+++

[fineleg]

There was lot of brouhaha by Indian Govt that it was enabling dual citizenship about 4 years back. But they did not do it. They created a false propaganda that they have enabled dual citizenship - but it was all a media thing they did. If they had done that as advertised (truth-in-advertising?) - then folkz can represent officially.

[graphic23]

There was lot of brouhaha by Indian Govt that it was enabling dual citizenship about 4 years back. But they did not do it. They created a false propaganda that they have enabled dual citizenship - but it was all a media thing they did. If they had done that as advertised (truth-in-advertising?) - then folkz can represent officially.

I don't think that applies to people born in the US or wherever. If you were an indian-born citizen to start out with and were applying to US citizenship, you'd be able to be a citizen of both India and US (as an example).

[Ram]

I disagree. We are living in a world where race has nothing to do with country. If you are not an Indian citizen, why the hell do you want to represent India and not your home country ? We are talking about a country representation, not an IPL or mohan bagan club team oh..wait a minute..you just want to play for India because you don't stand a chance in your home country. You just want to play, try to win some medals, make some $$$ and go back. I can bet my paycheck that none of these non Indian citizens will be ready to represent India if they are already representing their home country. Sorry..if you cannot vote ..you cannot represent.:hatsoff:

Well said! The point about race is especially valid. You cant born in country, live there for the first 18-20 years of your life and all of a sudden claim to be Indian and represent India.

[varun]

I disagree. We are living in a world where race has nothing to do with country. If you are not an Indian citizen, why the hell do you want to represent India and not your home country ? We are talking about a country representation, not an IPL or mohan bagan club team oh..wait a minute..you just want to play for India because you don't stand a chance in your home country. You just want to play, try to win some medals, make some $$$ and go back. I can bet my paycheck that none of these non Indian citizens will be ready to represent India if they are already representing their home country. Sorry..if you cannot vote ..you cannot represent.:hatsoff:

^^ What he said :P

[triam]

Well said! The point about race is especially valid. You cant born in country, live there for the first 18-20 years of your life and all of a sudden claim to be Indian and represent India.

How do you think US stocks its olympic teams? 60% are home grown the rest 40 are given citizenship for the sole reason that they will represent US. If you are ranked in the top 5 of any olympic sport, you can get a US citizenship pretty darn easily. Some small Island countries also do this, their restrictions are far lesser, you need not be in the top 5, any international standing, you pretty well can get citizenship, a lot of americans in track and field and cycling who cant be part of the national team because of stiff competition, choose this countries as their second option. The truth in India's case it is between these 2 extremes, we are not as good as US with the level of competition and we are not as bad as some of the island countries. So, ideally we have to choose the middle ground. It is all great to thump our chests that we dont want the secondary class from the US to represent us etc, but to go with that, there needs to be plans regarding how to improve the existing abysmal nature of sports within India. A hypothetical question, if Prakash amritraj, overnight becomes world number 1 in tennis, will the sports ministry maintain its stance?? or if Federer for some reason wants to represent India what will India do?

[Ram]

How do you think US stocks its olympic teams? 60% are home grown the rest 40 are given citizenship for the sole reason that they will represent US. If you are ranked in the top 5 of any olympic sport, you can get a US citizenship pretty darn easily. Some small Island countries also do this, their restrictions are far lesser, you need not be in the top 5, any international standing, you pretty well can get citizenship, a lot of americans in track and field and cycling who cant be part of the national team because of stiff competition, choose this countries as their second option. The truth in India's case it is between these 2 extremes, we are not as good as US with the level of competition and we are not as bad as some of the island countries. So, ideally we have to choose the middle ground. It is all great to thump our chests that we dont want the secondary class from the US to represent us etc, but to go with that, there needs to be plans regarding how to improve the existing abysmal nature of sports within India. A hypothetical question, if Prakash amritraj, overnight becomes world number 1 in tennis, will the sports ministry maintain its stance?? or if Federer for some reason wants to represent India what will India do?

And how does allowing imported players to represent our country 'lift the standard of sports' in India? We were the powerhouses of Olympic Hockey a while ago, look at our state now. Paes won the Bronze in 96, did Indian tennis skyrocket after that? Bindra just won the gold in shooting, so are we to think the interest among kinds for shooting will increase? I doubt it. If we really want to perform well in the Olympics, we must create a sports infrastructure and inculcate a sporting culture at the school and college levels. Allowing players of foreign origin to represent our country so that they win medals may win a few brownie points in the international media and make our medal standing look a touch better, but nothing concrete beyond that.

[Bumper]

Currently our Olympic team badly needs medals. Principles come later. If we continue to run blank in the medals column, we run the risk of all sports other than cricket getting canned completely. Do whatever it takes to put India back on the Olympic map. However, this bending of rules must be restricted to sports only. I want our political leaders to be Indians by birth.

[kumble_rocks]

^ Exactly my point, India has hardly invested in players like Shikha ,Neha Uberoi,Prakash Amritraj etc . And if they want to represent India , nothing wrong with that .It's a win win situation for India. And we can't trust our babus .

[triam]

And how does allowing imported players to represent our country 'lift the standard of sports' in India? We were the powerhouses of Olympic Hockey a while ago, look at our state now. Paes won the Bronze in 96, did Indian tennis skyrocket after that? Bindra just won the gold in shooting, so are we to think the interest among kinds for shooting will increase? I doubt it. If we really want to perform well in the Olympics, we must create a sports infrastructure and inculcate a sporting culture at the school and college levels. Allowing players of foreign origin to represent our country so that they win medals may win a few brownie points in the international media and make our medal standing look a touch better, but nothing concrete beyond that.

Yep, thats what I was getting at indirectly, this is not what is needed, what is needed is focus and a realistic plan to improve our sports standing internationally. targer 2020 olympics, and a target of 20 gold medals, identify the sports and start training now.