The Indian government is considering a major change in its sports policy that could allow Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders to represent India in international competitions.
This would mark a reversal of the 2008 rule issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which limited eligibility to athletes holding valid Indian passports. The Delhi High Court had upheld this policy in 2010 after it was challenged by UK-based squash player Karm Kumar.
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The possible revision is being seen as a move to boost India’s performance in sports where the country has traditionally struggled, such as football, tennis, and swimming.
A government source explained that there is growing recognition that India’s sporting ecosystem could benefit from including athletes of Indian origin who have trained abroad but remain connected to their roots.
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Before the 2008 rule took effect, several Indian-origin athletes played for India under OCI status. These included tennis players Prakash Amritraj, Shikha Uberoi, and Sunitha Rao from the US, squash player Karm Kumar from the UK, and swimmer Ankur Poseria from the US.
Officials now believe that reconsidering the restriction could allow India to tap into a larger talent pool, particularly in sports that need strengthening. The government is currently deliberating on this change and could announce a new policy that would welcome OCI and PIO athletes back into national representation.
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