Football News: Former Liverpool player Yan Dhanda is serious about championing the Indian national team at international level but his wish is hampered by bureaucracy.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder spent five years on Merseyside, joining West Brom in 2013, becoming the first player of Indian origin to join the club.
Now with Ross County in the Scottish Premiership, he played a key role in avoiding relegation for the club on the final day of the season.
Although he really wanted to represent the Indian national team at the international level, the people of his father’s country also wanted him to do so, but bureaucracy prevented him from doing so.
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status is granted to allow unlimited travel to India, but local laws prohibit foreign nationals from representing the country in any sport.
Dual nationality is also not allowed, meaning Dhanda must surrender his British passport in order to play for India.
If he does, it will make his club career significantly more difficult as there is no guarantee that he will move freely in Europe.
“Playing for India is a dream for me but returning my passport is very difficult at the moment,” the ex-Liverpool man told Khel Now TV.
“I want to keep playing in Europe and show what I can do in Europe on some of the biggest stages.
“I hope to find a solution to fulfill my dream of playing for India and going to the World Cup with India. This is what I dreamed of.”
Article Tags: Liverpool, Indian National Team, Yan Dhanda
