No plans to drop football team for Asian Games, says SAI Director General

New Delhi: Sports Authority of India on Tuesday denied any plans not to clear the national football team at government cost for the Asian Games.

Reports claimed that the government was having second thoughts on sending the football team at government cost as India don't have much of a chance to advance beyond the group stage in the Asian Games.

SAI Director General Jiji Thomson told PTI that there was no such plan.

"It is not true," he said when asked about reports that SAI was mulling not to clear the football team at government cost for the Asian Games.

India have been drawn in Group G along with United Arab Emirates and Jordan. Two teams from the group will advance to the round of 16.

India recently lost to Pakistan 0-2 in the second friendly match after winning the first 1-0.