
Sunil Chhetri answers India SOS, as coach questions Hong Kong passport rules
India head coach Manolo Marquez has questioned the rules allowing Hong Kong to select a host of naturalised players, a day before the two sides clash in a crucial Asian Cup qualifier.
Overseas Citizens of India cardholders have been banned from representing the country since 2008, while players with dual-nationality cannot be chosen.
Hong Kong's squad for Tuesday's game at Kai Tak Stadium includes eight players, including controversial striker Manuel Bleda, who qualified after completing seven years' residency.
Spaniard Marquez, who is reportedly on the brink of quitting his post, evidently wanted to have his say on the subject, given the question about the large overseas-born contingent came from an All India Football Federation employee.
'If I was Hong Kong coach, maybe I would do similar,' Marquez said. 'In my opinion, the rules should be the same for everyone. I accept dual nationality, if your father or mother are from the country.
'Other countries can select players if they played in their [domestic] competition. For me, this is not very fair.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Stricter rules on funding for Hong Kong sports events planned, as Messi fallout continues
Sports events in Hong Kong that want government support are facing a tightening of the rules around funding, sources have told the Post, as the fallout from the Lionel Messi saga continues. Criteria surrounding global relevance, minimum ticket sales and impact have all been under the spotlight as part of a review started by former sports minister Kelvin Yeung Yun-hung, and changes could be implemented before the end of the year. With the Major Sports Events Committee dolling out HK$624.4 million of public money over the past three financial years, officials were also considering introducing a sliding scale of support, rather than paying out as much as HK$17 million at a time to organisers. 'There will be different conditions, say the number of minimum spectators, 80 per cent of the seats must be filled for exhibition matches,' a government source said. 'There must be elements of mega-events, too, and that applies to all applications. 'Grants of different amounts could also be dished out but that's subject to further considerations, we're still exploring the various [possible] tiers.' Runners head down the Island Eastern Corridor in North Point during the 10km race during the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Photo: Eugene Lee The committee currently has a matching fund of up to HK$15 million for major sports events, with additional grants of HK$1 million for venues and marketing also available.


South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Safeguards can ensure legal basketball betting is the best result for all
The NBA finals, under way in the United States, are being closely followed by millions of basketball fans around the world. Many bets will be placed on the matches, including in Hong Kong. All wagers made in the city will be illegal. There is no lawful form of basketball betting, despite its soaring popularity. But that is about to change. The government has released the results of a one-month public consultation on its proposal to legalise betting on the sport. It says 94 per cent of 1,063 respondents were in favour and only 3.4 per cent against. Given that this is a sensitive social issue, with concerns about problem gambling, the level of support is surprisingly high. It is proposed that basketball betting be modelled on the one for football adopted in 2003. Lawful bets must be made with the sole authorised bookmaker, the Hong Kong Jockey Club. No credit will be given, juveniles will not be permitted to bet and there will be no gambling on matches involving local teams or staged in Hong Kong. The move is intended to combat illegal betting on basketball, which is on the rise. The Jockey Club estimates syndicates enjoyed an astonishing turnover of up to HK$90 billion last year from the city on basketball alone. Legalising gambling on the sport will also inject cash into government finances as it tackles a budget deficit of HK$87.2 billion. Betting duty will be 50 per cent of net stake receipts. In time, it is hoped the scheme will raise HK$1.5 billion a year. If people must bet on basketball, it is better they use a lawful, well-regulated platform. Conditions can be imposed and funds pumped back into the community, through taxes and the Jockey Club's charitable donations. But there are also valid concerns the move might encourage problem gambling, especially among young people. These must be taken seriously.


South China Morning Post
9 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong boss' delight after Pereira penalty secures dramatic Asian Cup win over India
The nerveless Stefan Pereira scored a stoppage-time penalty to earn Hong Kong a dramatic 1-0 win over India at a cacophonous Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. Pereira had been on the pitch only five minutes when he hopped and skipped to the spot, then eased his strike beyond Vishal Kaith and in off the left post. Kai Tak erupted. Minutes later, most of the 42,570 crowd were noisily celebrating again. The result extended the city team's record-breaking unbeaten run to a 10th match, and left them with a healthy four points from their opening two AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Hong Kong were brimming with industry and bite all night. But just as it appeared they would pay for a lack of finesse, after going 320 minutes without a goal, Ngan Cheuk-pan located fellow substitute Michael Udebuluzor's forward run with a cute dink from midfield. Beaten by Udebuluzor to the ball, Kaith had nowhere to go and brought down the attacker. How the fervent home crowd would have been whipped up earlier had Manuel Bleda aimed fractionally lower from 20 yards after Juninho's third-minute lay-off.