Calcutta: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been fuming at the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision not to allow the national football team to participate in the upcoming Asian Games in Jakarta, but Syed Nayeemuddin thinks differently. 

According to Nayeem, a former India football captain and a Dronacharya, the AIFF should respect the IOA’s decision. 

“They (IOA) must be having some problem and that might be the reason why they did not clear the football team’s participation in the Asian Games,” said Nayeem. 

Nayeemuddin was speaking on the sidelines of a media conference, where the launch of OSS Bengal Super League, an U-18 football tournament, which is scheduled to begin on August 25.

He further added: “The IOA must be thinking differently. They want athletes to go there and become champions. We have to respect the decision. We have to take it sportingly.”

Nayeem hoped that the Indian football team, coached by Stephen Constantine, would do well in the Asian Cup next year. “I think they will do well. We have a lot of expectations from them and I hope they will do well,” he said. 

He, however, said that he would like an Indian coach to be in charge of the national team. “Constantine is doing well and I respect him, but my question is, why not our own coaches? We should give our coaches ample opportunity.”