The Union government is actively exploring the possibility of allowing Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) to represent the country in select sports, as part of a broader effort to make India’s Olympic contingent more competitive in the coming years.
The move is being discussed against the backdrop of India’s growing ambitions on the global sporting stage. India is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and is also making a strong push to stage the 2036 Summer Olympics. Officials believe that hosting major multi-sport events on home soil will demand a stronger and more competitive Indian contingent, capable of matching visiting nations and avoiding a scenario where overseas teams dominate the medal podium.
Sources indicate that the idea of tapping into the Indian diaspora has gained traction within government circles and is now part of long-term strategic thinking. National Sports Federations (NSFs) have been encouraged to proactively identify and approach eligible OCI and PIO athletes who could bolster national teams, particularly in disciplines where India lacks depth or international competitiveness.
The proposal was discussed in detail at a recent Sports Governance Conclave in Ahmedabad, where senior ministry officials outlined India’s sporting roadmap for the next decade. The emphasis, officials said, is on using OCI and PIO athletes as a targeted, interim solution rather than a blanket policy across all sports.
Sports such as tennis, football, athletics and swimming are understood to be among those under consideration. Tennis, in particular, has been cited as a discipline where limited depth at the elite level could prompt selective inclusion. Recent cases involving athletes of Indian origin competing overseas have also fuelled the debate.
Currently, only Indian passport holders are eligible to represent the country at international events, a rule that has been in place since a 2008 directive from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. While that policy remains unchanged, sources suggest there is increasing openness to reviewing it in specific contexts.
Officials maintain that the focus remains on strengthening the domestic sporting ecosystem, with any inclusion of OCI or PIO athletes intended to complement — not replace — long-term grassroots development. No formal policy change has been announced yet, but discussions are ongoing as India sharpens its competitive edge ahead of future global events.
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