Indian-origin football player Yan Dhanda is eager to represent his country on the field but faces a big obstacle in the form of existing rules around dual nationality. In a discussion with the AIFF secretary-general, he shared his hope that the Indian government will permit Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards, which would allow him to play for India while still holding his UK nationality. Dhanda expressed that he is committed to his dream of representing India, but the current regulations require him to give up his British passport, which would limit his professional options. He is optimistic that his plea for reform will be heard and OCI cards will be permitted, paving the way for him to achieve his goals.
A talented young football player has caught the attention of none other than England Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand. Yandhanda, an attacking midfielder, recently scored a brilliant goal that prompted Ferdinand to call for his inclusion in the Indian national team. In response, the General Secretary of the All India Football Federation, Kushal Das, thanked Ferdinand and extended an invitation to Yandhanda to apply for an Indian passport. The catch? He would have to relinquish his current nationality. Nonetheless, Das emphasized that the move would be worth it as Yandhanda has the potential to become a hero for India’s 1.4 billion people. It’s an intriguing proposition that could launch the young player’s career to new heights.
Yan Dhanda, the talented attacking midfielder from England, has been making waves in the Scottish Premiership as part of the Ross County side. With his exceptional creative flair and vision on the ball, it’s no surprise that he’s become one of their top performers. Dhanda’s skills were also on display as part of the England U-17 team, where they clinched the UEFA European U-17 Championship in 2017. In the final against Spain, Dhanda scored a crucial goal that helped secure the title. As one of the most promising players to come out of England in recent years, all eyes are on Dhanda to see where his football journey will take him next.
