NEW DELHI: Exciting news awaits Indian football enthusiasts! Both the Men's and Women's national football teams have received official clearance to participate in the highly anticipated Asian Games. 

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, has taken a positive step by relaxing the rules, which initially posed a challenge for their qualification. The decision came after careful consideration of their recent impressive performances, prompting the Ministry to grant them the much-needed relaxation, as stated by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur in a late-day statement.

The road to approval was not without uncertainty, though. Despite already submitting their entries for the Asiad, the teams were unsure about their participation, with IOA president P.T. Usha indicating strict adherence to government rules. The existing criterion stated that teams ranked in the top-eight in Asia would be eligible for the Games. While the men's team holds the 99th spot in the world rankings, they rank 18th in Asia, and the women's team, with an impressive 60th spot globally, holds the 11th rank in Asia.

In light of the situation, AIFF president Kalyan Choubey, who also acts as the CEO of IOA, took the initiative to hold discussions with both home minister Amit Shah and Anurag Thakur, seeking a viable solution. Their efforts paid off as the Sports Ministry's decision came through, making it a momentous day for Indian football. Kalyan Choubey expressed his delight, acknowledging this as a testament to their commitment to the sport's development in India. With Indian football on an unprecedented rise, Choubey believes that this opportunity will further boost the players' morale in all forthcoming events.

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