India needs a balanced approach and long-term strategy to bring OCI and PIO players to play for the national team, as their inclusion is not the panacea of all ills facing Indian football, said AFC Executive Committee member Shaji Prabhakaran on Wednesday.
There has been recent focus in bringing Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and People of India Origin (PIO) players to arrest the downward slide of the national football team. Australian-origin player Ryan Williams turned up for the national team earlier this year after acquiring Indian citizenship.
Prabhakaran, who served as the All India Football Federation’s General Secretary until 2023, welcomed the AIFF’s initiative and the Sports Ministry’s efforts in that direction. However, he stressed that allowing OCI and PIO players to represent India should be viewed as just one element of a broader, long-term strategy to develop Indian football.
“The OCI/PIO issue has become big because the fans see this as the only way we will be able to compete. There are possibilities once the government comes up with policy in terms of whether it is going to be a sports passport or whatever, in short term it will definitely help,” he told PTI in an interview.
“But we have to also understand that there are not many Indians playing at the top level in the global football. What can happen is in three to four years, we can take their services and perform better at the Asian level to begin with and show that we can also compete at the top level. Ultimately, we have to work hard at the grassroots and youth level.”
ALSO READ | Not mandatory for ISL clubs to sign OCI players: AIFF
Prabhakaran said ideally the OCI/PIO players should be recruited in the Under-17 level in both men and women’s teams.
“We have to take them from under 17 to the senior in both men and women and that is where we will have the pipeline for next 10 years. That way the PIO/OCIs will strengthen our foundation.”
He, however, warned that the induction of PIOs/OCIs is not the panacea of Indian football but can only provide the initial momentum to the national team’s transformation.
“PIOs can change the image of the national team a bit but it will be still difficult to get a medal (or do well in international events). Even we have 11 PIO/OCIs playing, we will not get into the medal situation, that’s the fact but what we are going to do by having them for next 10-15 years with a blueprint is about showing that India has the potential and that can lead to complete transformation.
“Also, it is not that PIOs or OCIs will come (in large numbers) as you open the door, it needs to be a part of a strategy, need to package it better to make it attractive for the PIOs to really come and integrate with the Indian football system.”
Analysing Spain’s 2-0 win over France in the World Cup semifinals, Prabhakaran said that it was a tactical masterclass from the ‘La Roja’ as they controlled the midfield and choked the supply lines to the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.
“Spain completely shocked France in midfield and blocked the supply lines. Olise could not make his influence felt on the game and that is where Mbappe did not get the services,” said Prabhakaran, who has attended six World Cup matches and will be watching the final match on July 19.
ALSO READ | Scaloni, Tuchel keep history aside as Argentina, England brace for World Cup semifinal
“I thought France will come out with plan B, but they looked much much weaker in the second half than in the first. Spain, though they don’t have outright number 9, they were very clinical in whatever the chances they got.”
He said Spain not only displayed brilliant defensive organisation but also delivered its best overall performance of the tournament so far.
“Though it was not spectacular while watching because it was too tactical a game. But whatever the coach planned, the players executed, and France could not find any answer.
“Spain completely demolished France whatever reputation they had as the pre-match favourite. Spain look like hot favourites to win the World Cup,” said Prabhakaran, though he will still root for Argentina to lift the trophy again.
On the Argentina vs England second semifinal, Prabhakaran said, “My favorite is definitely Argentina because they are the fighters. They are not as organised as maybe England, maybe even Spain, maybe France but they are able to score. They are able to get results and everyone likes to attack, they are fearless.
“For Messi, it will be for the first time he will encounter England. I think England will have to control their game rather than they plan to control Messi. If they’re thinking of how to curtail Messi then they will be in for a shock because he will just need one or two opportunities to bite you.
“If you see overall this package of World Cup has taken one step forward than the 2022 edition in Qatar. There are more matches this time, the stadium atmosphere, the fans and the performance on the pitch definitely is one step higher than what we witnessed in Qatar,” Prabhakaran said.
Comments
Published on Jul 15, 2026