In a major move aimed at boosting India’s global sporting competitiveness, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has unveiled a new clause in the upcoming National Sports Policy 2025, allowing Indian-origin athletes living abroad to represent Team India across various international events. This landmark decision could open the gates for dozens of high-performing sportspersons of Indian descent, especially from countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, to don the Indian jersey.
Expanding the Talent Pool
The decision is part of the central government’s broader effort to expand India’s global sporting footprint by leveraging the vast diaspora talent pool. With many athletes of Indian origin already performing at elite levels in cricket, athletics, tennis, badminton, and football abroad, this move is expected to diversify India’s bench strength and enhance medal prospects in major global competitions like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games.
According to Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, “India has always been proud of its global diaspora. Now, with this new policy, athletes of Indian origin who meet performance and residency criteria will be eligible to compete for the country. This marks a major step in aligning with global practices.”
Key Features of the New Clause
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Eligibility Criteria: Athletes must provide verifiable proof of Indian ancestry up to two generations and meet minimum performance benchmarks specified by the relevant Indian sports federations.
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Residency Requirements: A short-term residency clause mandates that athletes must reside or train in India for a stipulated period before major events, ensuring they integrate with Indian coaching systems and teams.
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Switch in Allegiance: The policy will align with international federation rules on nationality change. Athletes who have previously represented another country must observe a cooling-off period as per international regulations.
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NOC and Government Approval: Final selection will require a No Objection Certificate from both the athlete’s current national federation (if applicable) and clearance from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Reactions from the Sporting Community
The move has received widespread praise from athletes, coaches, and administrators alike. Former Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh called it “a game-changer,” noting that “many Indian-origin kids abroad have immense talent, and they’ve just lacked the opportunity to play for their roots. This will change that.”
Notably, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has already begun identifying potential athletes who could be eligible under the revised rules. Sports like table tennis, gymnastics, shooting, and wrestling have seen rising stars of Indian heritage abroad.
Not Without Challenges
However, critics caution that this step must be implemented with fairness and transparency to avoid displacing home-grown athletes. “While the idea is promising, it’s essential to strike a balance so that deserving Indian athletes aren’t overlooked,” said veteran athletics coach Renu Gupta.
Others have pointed out the need for robust screening mechanisms to prevent misuse or superficial affiliations being used to qualify.
A Global Trend
India is not the first nation to adopt such an inclusive approach. Countries like the United Kingdom, Qatar, and Turkey have long recruited diaspora or foreign-born athletes to strengthen their squads. With the global nature of modern sports, such flexibility is increasingly seen as a strategic advantage.
The Road Ahead
The revised National Sports Policy is expected to be formally tabled in Parliament during the Monsoon Session in July 2025. If passed without significant opposition, federations across sports will begin incorporating the new guidelines into their selection criteria by the end of the year.
For many athletes of Indian descent who have yearned to represent the tricolour, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime.
As India continues to chase sporting excellence on the world stage, this policy could well become a catalyst for a new era in Indian sports — one where talent knows no borders, and heritage becomes a bridge to global glory.