India's new eligibility rules draw criticism

An Indian government rule to allow only its citizens to be chosen to national teams has drawn criticism from the national olympic body.

The sports ministry announced on Friday that in future only Indian passport holders would receive government support for training to represent the country.

• 'Only citizens can represent India'

It added: "This will also be applicable in the consideration of proposals for the participation of national teams in international sports events."

The move would particularly affect the tennis teams as Davis Cupper Prakash Amritraj and women players Shikha Uberoi and Sunita Rao hold U.S. passports.

"It is rubbish," Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary Randhir Singh told Reuters. "If the world of sport allows them to play, why should we block them?

"It is up to international federations to draw up eligibility rules. The rest of the world wants everyone to come to them, this rule will only cause confusion."

The sports ministry sought feedback from federations whether non-citizens should be allowed in and whether it was appropriate for them to take up slots that deprive citizens the opportunity for international exposure.

"The majority opinion has emerged in favour of restricting the representation of India in international sports events to players who are citizens of India," it said.

An Indian court asked for uniform eligibility rules to be framed after a junior squash player petitioned against the national federation's decision to bar him from selection to the national squad because he holds a British passport.

The sports ministry said the IOA did not respond while most of the federations which did wanted only Indian citizens to be selected.

The All India Tennis Federation (AITA) has raised the issue of its players with the government and the sports minister has agreed to a review, and whether players with dual citizenship can be fielded, it said in a statement.