PIO Harmeet Singh: I am still open to the idea of playing for India

Norway-born ‘Player of Indian Origin’ Harmeet Singh yesterday evening received the ‘Special Recognition award’ at the Asian Football Awards 2013 at the Wembley Stadium in London, England.

I had the chance to speak to Harmeet after the awards, a humble and approachable guy, who interacted with a lot of people from the British Asian football scene. I had a very good feeling and vibe of Harmeet, and felt this guy would be an asset to India if he would play for us.

Harmeet reiterated on the night what he had told me earlier, “If approached by India and the AIFF, I would surely consider to play for India! But the first move will have to come from the Indian side (AIFF) and then I would discuss it within my family.”

Harmeet can choose if he wants to play for his country of origin, India or of birth, Norway. But with the bonding that I saw in London, he surely would be up for it to play for India!

The problem continues to be that non-Indian passport holders under the rules of the Government of India are not allowed to represent India in any sport including football.

This issue is something which the AIFF should lobby with the Government of India in the interest of Indian football, then if a player of the class of Harmeet Singh wants to play for Team India, then it is the Indian side which should do all it can to make it happen as south Asian rivals Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have shown what inclusion of players of origin can do for them.